Outlet device and portable power supply device equipped with the same
The power outlet device with a hollow rectangular arm and pressing member ensures secure and aesthetically pleasing plug insertion, addressing the issues of convenience and appearance in portable power supply devices.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2021178262
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-10-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-19
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-10-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing portable power supply devices lack aesthetic appeal and secure plug insertion mechanisms, making them inconvenient for use in offices and other environments.
A power outlet device with a hollow rectangular arm incorporating a socket unit, where the plug is inserted through an opening in the arm and held in place by a pressing member with a stepped or inclined surface, ensuring flush surfaces and stable plug connection.
The solution provides an aesthetically pleasing design with secure plug insertion, eliminating the need for additional positioning means and reducing the risk of poor connections.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an outlet device for use in an office or the like, and a portable power supply device equipped with the outlet device. [Background technology]
[0002] Electronic and electrical devices such as laptops and projectors are widely used in offices, homes, stores, and various other places, and these devices are generally powered by electrical outlets. Outlets come in various types, including fixed types installed on walls, power strips attached to extension cords, and types permanently attached to furniture such as desks and room dividers.
[0003] In recent years, the free address system, where there are no fixed seats, has become popular as a working style in offices. In this free address working style, simple types of tables tend to be used, as they emphasize flexibility, and power strips are often used to power laptops. However, running cables on the floor is problematic in terms of aesthetics and pedestrian safety, so the cables are pulled out from the raised floor and connected to a power strip. However, with this system, the power strip is placed on the floor, which is problematic in terms of flexibility and appearance.
[0004] For this reason, portable power supply devices that can stand on the floor and be carried anywhere have been proposed, and as an example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device in which a stand formed in the shape of a rectangular tube elongated from top to bottom has an outlet on each side of the stand, and openings for inserting and removing plugs are formed on each side of the stand, and the openings are covered with a sliding cover.On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a device in which a power strip-like power supply unit (outlet) is arranged on one side of a plate-like support.
[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a stand for hanging a lighting fixture, in which the stand is made of a pipe and the top end is bent horizontally, with an outlet and a lighting fixture hanging hook provided in the horizontal section. Although Patent Document 3 does not provide details, it is presumed that the outlet is located in a hollow part of the stand, and that the top end of the stand has an opening to expose the outlet's socket. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-110302 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-110131 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-202715 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0007] In a portable power supply device for use in an office, for example, if the outlet unit integrated into the freestanding power supply device can be placed horizontally overhanging above a table or horizontally along the side of the table, the user at the table can insert and remove the plug while remaining seated in their chair, making it extremely convenient. In particular, if the plug opening faces upward, both people sitting across from the table can insert and remove the plug while remaining seated in their chairs, further improving usability.
[0008] However, Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not anticipate such usage and are unlikely to be convenient for use in offices, stores, etc., and Patent Document 3 is a stand for lighting fixtures to begin with, so it is difficult to call it a power supply device.
[0009] The inventors of the present application therefore came up with the idea of providing a hollow rectangular arm (holder) in the power supply device, incorporating an outlet unit inside the arm, and inserting and removing a plug into the outlet socket through an opening in the arm. However, when realizing this configuration, they found that if the outlet unit was simply inserted into the arm and fixed in place, the socket opening would be located inside the outer surface of the arm, which not only lacked aesthetic appeal but also made it impossible to insert the plug securely.
[0010] The present invention was made against the backdrop of the current situation, and aims to ensure aesthetic appeal and reliable plug insertion for an outlet device in which an outlet unit is mounted on a power supply device such as an arm. [Means for solving the problem]
[0011] The present invention includes various configurations, typical examples of which are specified in each claim. The invention of claim 1 relates to a power outlet device, " Consists of a square pipe with four side panels an outer case; and a socket unit inserted into the outer case from one end thereof; A protrusion having a plug insertion port is provided on one surface of the outlet unit, The outer case of the outlet unit The aforementioned One side overlaps One side plate The socket unit has an opening formed therein into which the protrusion of the socket unit is fitted from the inside, That Insert the outer case from one end It's packed in The protrusion is fitted into the opening. are " In this basic configuration, " In a portion of the inside of the outer case opposite to the opening, a pressing member for holding the protrusion of the outlet unit in a fitted state in the opening of the outer case; is inserted " The following configuration has been added.
[0012] The invention of claim 2 is an embodiment of claim 1, "The pressing member is is inserted in the same direction as the outlet unit. " The structure is as follows.
[0013] The invention of claim 3 is a further embodiment of claim 2, "The contact portion between the outlet unit and the pressing member is formed as a stepped or inclined surface that is lower on the back side of the outer case and higher on the front side." The structure is as follows.
[0014] The invention of claim 4 is an embodiment of claim 2 or 3, The pressing member has a pair of side plates that sandwich the outlet unit on its sides parallel to the protruding direction of the protrusions when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the outer case, A pair of side surfaces of the outer case that are parallel to the protruding direction of the protrusions are formed with recessed portions onto which the side plates of the pressing member overlap, and the end faces of the side plates of the pressing member abut against the stepped surfaces of the recessed portions. The structure is as follows.
[0016] Claim 5 The invention is directed to a portable power supply device, " A portable power supply device comprising: a base body that rests on the floor; a support pole that rises from the base body; and an outlet device that extends horizontally in a cantilevered manner from an upper end of the support pole, The outlet device has the configuration of any one of claims 1 to 4, The outer case and the support pole that constitute the outlet device are made of a single, continuous square pipe. " The structure is as follows. [Effects of the Invention]
[0017] In each of the present inventions, the protrusion of the socket unit fits into the opening of the outer case, so the surface of the protrusion and the surface of the outer case can be set flush with each other. This means that the inner surface of the opening is hidden from view, which is aesthetically pleasing, and the plug can be inserted all the way to the opening, preventing poor connection between the plug and socket unit.
[0018] Furthermore, the socket unit is held in place by its projections fitting into the openings in the outer case, so no other positioning means is required, simplifying the structure accordingly.
[0019] In the present invention, the overall thickness of the outlet unit is set to a thickness that allows it to be inserted into the outer case, and after the outlet unit is inserted into the outer case, the protrusion is fastened into the opening and held in that state by a retaining member, thereby allowing the outlet unit to be inserted into the outer case while maintaining the protrusion of the outlet unit fitted into the opening.
[0020] The pressing member can be embodied in various ways. 1 The plug-in configuration has the advantages of eliminating the need for processing on the outer case, improving the aesthetic appearance, and increasing the contact area between the pressing member and the outlet unit, improving the stability of the outlet unit.
[0021] Claim 1,2 In the above, the holding member is longer, which improves stability, but if the configuration of claim 3 is embodied, the entire length of the holding member can be brought into contact with the outlet unit at the end of the insertion process of the holding member, eliminating the problem of the holding member getting stuck during insertion and making it easier and faster to assemble the outlet device.
[0022] In the invention of claim 4, when attaching the outlet unit to the outer case, the outlet unit and the pressing member are partially fitted together, the entire outlet unit is inserted into the outer case, and then the pressing member is pushed in, thereby enabling the outlet unit to be attached quickly and accurately. Furthermore, because the side plates of the pressing member fit into the recessed parts of the outlet unit, the sides of the composite of the outlet unit and pressing member can be aligned to the same plane, which has the advantage that the outlet unit and pressing member can be attached to the outer case without any rattle.
[0023] In claims 2 to 4, as in the embodiment, if a spring portion is provided on the pressing member and the pressing member elastically biases the outlet unit, rattle of the outlet unit and the pressing member can be preferably eliminated.
[0025] The outlet device of the present invention can be used independently, but 5 When incorporated into a power supply device like this, the functionality of the outer case is fully utilized and its true value is fully demonstrated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0026] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a first embodiment, in which (A) is an overall perspective view of a power supply device in use, (B) is a side view of (A) as seen from the BB direction, and (C) is a plan view. [Figure 2] 1A is a perspective view of the power supply device as seen from below, FIG. 1B is a bottom view, FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the power supply device as seen from below in another example. [Figure 3] (A) is a perspective view of the support pole separated, and (B) is a perspective view of the joint separated. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams mainly for explaining the joint, in which (A) is an exploded perspective view seen from above, and (B) is an exploded perspective view seen from below. [Figure 5] (A) is a longitudinal side view of the power supply unit with the cap separated, (B) is a longitudinal side view of the power supply unit during assembly, (C) is a separated perspective view of the outlet unit and arm, and (D) is a separated side view of the outlet unit and cap. [Figure 6] 1A is an external perspective view of the arm, FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the power supply unit, and FIG. 1C is a vertical cross-sectional side view showing another example (reference example) of the pressing member. [Figure 7] (A) is a partial oblique view of the power supply unit with the cap removed, (B) is a separated oblique view of the power supply unit seen from below, (C) is a perspective view of the cap, (D) is a partially separated oblique view of the power supply unit, (D) is a longitudinal front view showing another example of the pressing member, and (E) is a cross-sectional view showing another example (reference example) of the pressing member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] (1) Overview of the embodiment Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, a power supply device 1 is used by being placed on the outer periphery (generally on the left or right short side) of a table 2, and includes a circular base body 3 that rests on the floor, a support pole 4 that rises from the edge of the base body 3, and an arm 5 that bends horizontally from the upper end of the support pole 4. The arm 5 can also be called an arm-shaped holder.
[0028] The support column 4 is set at a height higher than the top surface of the table top 2a of the table 2, and the arm 5 extends in a position that bisects the base body 3 in a plan view. In this embodiment, the arm 5 corresponds to the outer case described in the claims. The arm 5 is formed integrally with the support column 4. And However, it is also possible to manufacture the support 4 and the arm 5 as separate members and connect them in a post-processing step.
[0029] By inserting the base body 3 into the table 2, the arm 5 can be positioned above the top surface of the table 2. As shown in Fig. 1(C), the arm 5 is sized so that its tip does not extend outside the base body 3 in a plan view.
[0030] In the following, the terms front-rear and left-right are used to specify directions, with the longitudinal direction of arm 5 being the front-rear direction and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of arm 5 being the left-right direction. With regard to front and rear, the side of the free end of arm 5 is the front, and the side of support 4 is the rear.
[0031] The support 4 and arm 5 are integrally formed by bending a steel square pipe into an L shape. , so it has four side panels. The arm 5 has a built-in outlet unit 6 shown in FIG. 5(C). The tip of the arm 5 is closed with a cap 7. The outlet unit 6 is basically a four-port type, and is arranged with the socket 35 for the plug (not shown) facing upward. Therefore, the upper surface of the arm 5 (One side plate)The connector has four rectangular openings (square holes) 8 for inserting and removing plugs.
[0032] As shown in Figures 2(A) and (C), an inward rib 9 is formed on the inner corner surface of the corner where the arm 5 and the support 4 are connected, extending from the base end of the arm 5 to the upper end of the support 4. The rib 9 is formed before the straight square pipe is bent, and absorbs the stress during the bending process. Therefore, the square pipe can be bent without wrinkles, and the phenomenon of the inner corner widening and deformation can be prevented.
[0033] 2(A) and 2(B), four grounding bodies 10 are arranged in a circumferential direction on the underside of the base body 3 and are fixed to the base body 3 by means of screws, adhesives, or other means. The grounding bodies 10 are made of synthetic resin, and their outward surfaces are formed in an arc shape with a slightly smaller radius of curvature than the outer circumferential surface of the base body 3, while their inward surfaces facing the center of the base body 3 are formed flat.
[0034] The outward surface of the grounding body 10 is formed with a groove 12 into which the power cable 11 can be wound, and the inward surface is formed with a pair of dummy connection ports 14 into which the terminals of the plug 13 connected to one end of the power cable 11 can be inserted. Therefore, when the power supply device 1 is not in use, the power cable 11 is wound into the groove 12 of the group of grounding bodies 10, and the plug 13 is connected to the dummy connection port 14 of one of the grounding bodies 10, thereby keeping the power cable 11 from unraveling.
[0035] Since the grounding body 10 has a certain thickness, a number of ribs 15 extending in the circumferential and radial directions are formed to reduce the weight while maintaining the thickness. Each grounding body 10 may be provided with multiple pairs of dummy connection ports 14. Also, as shown in FIG. 2(A), the inward-facing side surface of the grounding body 10 is of, Dummy connection port 14 is The cable is curved outward on both sides, and the lower end of this curved section is provided with a cable receiving section 10a on which the power cable 11 can be placed. The cable receiving section 10a is provided with an upward-facing weir piece 10b that prevents the power cable 11 from slipping off.
[0036] The number of grounding bodies 10 can be set as desired. In the modified example shown in FIG. 2(D), eight grounding bodies 10 are arranged in the circumferential direction. By reducing the number of grounding bodies 10, the length of the grooves 12 can be increased, allowing the winding device made up of a group of grounding bodies 10 to be formed in a shape similar to a drum. A small gap 16 is left between adjacent grounding bodies 10. When using the power supply device 1, the power cable 11 can be pulled out through the gap 16 between adjacent grounding bodies 10.
[0037] 2(A), (B), and (D), a cable insertion hole 17 is formed in the base body 3 below the pillar 4. Naturally, the cable insertion hole 17 opens into the gap 16 between two adjacent grounding bodies 10.
[0038] (2) Pillar connection structure 3 and 4, the support column 4 is connected to the base body 3 via a pair of overlapping front and rear joints 20. That is, the joint 20 is fixed to the base body 3 by screwing an upward screw 21 inserted into the base body 3 from below into the joint 20, and the support column 4 is fixed to the joint 20 by screwing a horizontal screw 22 inserted into the support column 4 from the side into the joint 20.
[0039] Therefore, screw insertion holes 23, 24 are opened in the base body 3 and the support 4, respectively, and the joint 20 is formed with a vertically elongated female threaded hole 25 into which the upward screw 21 is screwed and a horizontally elongated female threaded hole 26 into which the horizontal screw 22 is screwed.
[0040] The joints 20 are formed in a box shape and, when stacked, have a block-like appearance, with upper and lower longitudinal engagement protrusions 27 and engagement grooves 28 formed on the overlapping longitudinal side edges. The pair of joints 20 have the same structure, but the engagement protrusion 27 of one joint 20 fits into the engagement groove 28 of the other joint 20, so that the pair of joints 20 are held inside the support 4 without slipping.
[0041] The opposing portions of the joint 20 are recessed, and a cross-shaped rib 29 and a cylindrical boss 30 for forming the horizontally elongated female threaded hole 26 are formed in this recess. An inward notch 31 is formed at the upper end of the joint 20 to allow the power cable 11 to pass through.
[0042] Furthermore, half-split trough-shaped portions 32 that overlap each other to hold the power cable 11 protrude downward from the underside of the joint 20, and the trough-shaped portions 32 are fitted into the screw insertion holes 23 of the base body 3. Therefore, the trough-shaped portions 32 also have the function of positioning the joint 20 relative to the base body 3. Since the joint 20 is fixed to the base body 3 with a single upward screw 21, the vertically elongated female threaded hole 25 is formed close to one end of the joint 20.
[0043] The support 4 has a screw insertion hole 24, but the location of the screw insertion hole 24 is an inwardly protruding burred portion. Therefore, an outward notch 33 is formed on the top surface of the part of the joint 20 facing the support 4 to allow the burred portion to escape when the support 4 is fitted. In addition, vertically elongated grooves 33a are formed on both the left and right sides of the outward notch 33. Therefore, the joint 20 abuts against the inner surface of the support 4 via four vertically elongated ribs.
[0044] (3) Power supply unit 6(B) and 7(B), the outlet unit 6 comprises four plug holders 36, each having a pair of plug sockets (terminal sockets) 35, an upper case 37 extending longitudinally from front to rear that overlaps the group of plug holders 36 from above, and a lower case 38 extending longitudinally from front to rear that overlaps the group of plug holders 36 from below, the lower case 38 being held down from below by a holding member 39 extending longitudinally from front to rear. A front plug holder 40 that constitutes part of the outlet unit 7 is attached to the front end of the lower case 38.
[0045] The upper case 37 has left and right side plates and is shaped like a rectangular gutter that opens downward, with a window 41 through which the plug holder 36 fits from below. The plug holder 36 is formed with front and rear flanges 36a that abut against the underside of the upper case 37, and with the flanges 36a abutting the upper case 37 from below, each plug holder 36 fits into an opening 8 in the arm 5 exposed above the upper case 37. Therefore, in this embodiment, the portion of each plug holder 36 that is exposed upward from the arm 5 forms a protrusion 36b, and the insertion opening 35 opens in the protrusion 36b. For example, as shown in FIG. 6(B), the rear end of the upper case 37 forms a downwardly inclined surface 42.
[0046] The lower case 38 has left and right side plates 38a, a front plate 38b, and a rear plate 38c, and is shaped like an upwardly opening box, with the upper case 37 and the lower case 38 sandwiching and fixing each plug holder 36. Although not shown in the figure, two branch wires branching from the power cable 11 are connected to each plug holder 36.
[0047] As shown in Fig. 6(B), an upward notch 38f is formed in the rear plate 38c of the lower case 38 for pulling out the power cable 11. As shown in Fig. 7(B), a notch 37f is also formed in the rear plate of the upper case 37 for pulling out the power cable 11.
[0048] As shown in Fig. 7(B), three long boss tubes 43 and two short boss tubes 44 are arranged alternately in the front and rear and protrude downward from the upper case 37, while as shown in Fig. 6(B), a short receiving tube 45 that fits over the long boss tube 43 of the upper case 37 and two long receiving tubes 46 that fit over the short boss tube 44 of the upper case 37 protrude from the lower case 38. The boss tubes 43, 44 and the receiving tubes 45, 46 are force-fitted together to integrate the upper and lower cases 37, 38. The upper and lower cases 37, 38 may be fixed to each other with screws at the boss tubes 43, 44 and the receiving tubes 45, 46.
[0049] 7(D), a front engagement groove 47 is formed in the front end of the lower case 38, into which the flange 40a of the front plug holder 40 fits from above. The front plug holder 40 is held immovably upward by the upper case 37. Two power lines are connected to the front plug holder 40, and these power lines branch off from the single power cable 11, just like the power lines for the other plug holders 36.
[0050] The outlet unit 6 is held immovable forward and backward because the upward protrusion 36b of the plug holder 36 is fitted into the square hole 8 of the arm 5, but in this state the retaining member 39 overlaps the lower case 38 from below, so the upper and lower cases 37, 38 and each plug holder 36 are held immovable downward.
[0051] As shown in Figures 6(B) and 7(B), the retaining member 39 has left and right side plates 39a and a front plate 39b and is formed in a gutter shape, with the left and right side plates embracing the lower case 38 from both the left and right sides. The left and right side plates 39 of the retaining member 39 are formed in three steps, from the back, to form an upward low step portion 48, an upward middle step portion 49, and an upward high step portion 50, so that the height changes in a stepped manner, and a compression spring portion 51 formed in the shape of a wire spring is provided by a hole that projects upward from each of the upward step portions 48, 49, 50.
[0052] Meanwhile, recessed portions 38e onto which side plates 39a of the pressing member 39 overlap are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the lower case 38, and three downward steps, namely a downward low step 52, a downward middle step 53, and a downward high step 54, are formed on the upper surface (step surface) of the recessed portions 38e, corresponding to the steps 48, 49, and 50 of the pressing member 39. Therefore, the lower case 38 and the pressing member 39 are fitted together vertically with their outer surfaces flush with each other.
[0053] The difference in height between adjacent steps 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 54 is set to be slightly greater than the thickness of the arm 5. When attaching the outlet unit 6 to the upper case 37, for example, the upward-facing lower step 48 of the retaining member 39 is placed on the downward-facing middle step 53 of the lower case 38, the outlet unit 6 is inserted into the arm 5, and each plug holder 36 is fitted into the opening 8 of the arm 5 from below, and then the retaining member 39 is pushed upward and pushed inwards.
[0054] When the retaining member 39 is pushed in all the way, with each plug holder 36 fitted into the opening 8 of the arm 5, the upper and lower cases 37, 38 are held immovable downward over their entire length, and the outlet unit 6 is held in a stable state. In this case, because the retaining member 39 is formed with a compression spring portion 51, the outlet unit 6 can be held in a state without rattle even if there is manufacturing error in each part.
[0055] 7(B), for example, the lower surface of the pressing member 39 is provided with multiple pairs of downward ribs 39c on the left and right, and the downward ribs 39c are set to abut against the lower inner surface of the arm 5. When the downward ribs 39c are provided in this manner, the pressing member 39 abuts against the arm 5 in a line contact manner, which allows the pressing member 39 to be inserted smoothly.
[0056] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(D), for example, downwardly opening stopper recesses 38d are formed in the front ends of the left and right side plates 39a of the lower case 38, while spring-shaped stopper pieces 39d that fit into the stopper recesses 38d from below are provided in the front ends of the left and right side plates 39a of the pressing member 39. The fit between these stopper pieces 39d and stopper recesses 38d holds the lower case 38 and the pressing member 39 immovable relative to each other, thereby holding the outlet unit 7 immovable forward and backward.
[0057] As shown in Figure 7(C), cap 7 is provided with a rectangular cylindrical foot 55 that is adapted to resiliently fit into the tip of arm 5. As shown in Figure 5(D), protrusions 55a with a mountain-shaped cross section are formed on the outer periphery of foot 55, and protrusions 55a are brought into line contact with arm 5, thereby ensuring secure attachment using elastic force.
[0058] (4) Summary In this embodiment, the power cable 11 may be connected to an external outlet pulled out from the raised floor or to an external outlet installed on the wall of the building. Because it is portable, it can be carried and used anywhere as needed. Therefore, it is also suitable for offices with a free address system.
[0059] As already mentioned, arm 5 can be made to overhang above table 2, so that the plug of a device such as a laptop computer can be inserted into or removed from plug holder 36 while remaining seated in a chair. Moreover, because sockets 35 of plug holder 36 open upward, all of the plug holders 36 can be used by anyone sitting across from table 2, meaning there is no shortage of sockets, making it easy to use (in the case of the table of this embodiment, four sockets 35 is practically sufficient).
[0060] Furthermore, the upper surface of the protrusion 36a that constitutes the plug holder 36 is flush with the upper surface of the arm 5, so the inner surface of the opening 8 is not visible to the naked eye, which is aesthetically pleasing, and the plug can be inserted until it hits the upper surface of the protrusion 36a, so no poor connection occurs.
[0061] Providing a front plug holder 40 as in the embodiment allows it to be used as a spare outlet, making it suitable for use on a desk with a large number of devices. Providing a USB port as the front plug holder 40 also makes it suitable for use with smartphones and tablet devices.
[0062] As in the embodiment, the socket unit 6 is held in place using an insertable retaining member 39, which is preferable because it allows the socket unit 6 to be easily attached without using screws. The power supply device 1 of this embodiment can be moved by grasping the arm 5, making it easy to carry.
[0063] The manner in which the power supply device 1 is used is up to the user. Therefore, in order to use the upper surface of the table 2 more widely, it is also possible to use the arm 5 in a position parallel to the side edge of the table 2, rather than having the arm 5 overhang above the table 2. In this case, the plug holder 36 also opens upward, making it easy to insert and remove the plug, and is therefore convenient to use.
[0064] When fitting the outlet unit 6 into the arm 5, if the arm 5 is turned upside down so that the opening 8 faces downwards, the protrusion 36b will remain fitted in the opening 8 even if the user lets go of it, making fitting easy. Alternatively, the outlet unit 6 can be inserted into the arm 5, and then a plug (or a plug-shaped jig) can be inserted into the socket and pulled in, temporarily keeping the protrusion 36b fitted in the opening 8.
[0065] As shown in Figure 6(C) Reference example In the example, the retaining member 39 is configured as a clip type. That is, the retaining member 39 is formed in the shape of a plate elongated in the front-to-rear direction so as to fit from below into a long hole 57 elongated in the front-to-rear direction formed in the arm 5, and downward-facing engagement feet 59 defined by slits 58 are formed on both the front and rear ends of the retaining member 39, and engagement claws 60 that come into contact with the inner surface of the lower plate of the arm 5 are formed on the lower ends of the engagement feet 59.
[0066] The outlet unit 6 is formed with a slot 61 into which the pressing member 39 fits from below. The outlet unit 6 is shown in a simplified form, with no hatching. The pressing member 39 is provided with a compression spring portion 51, as previously described. In Figure 6(C), the compression spring portion 51 is shown in a fully deformed state.
[0067] In this example, the overall height of the outlet unit 6 is set to a dimension slightly smaller than the vertical width inside the arm 5, and when the protrusion 36b (not shown) of the outlet unit 6 is fitted into the opening 8 (not shown) of the arm 5 and the outlet unit 6 is pushed into the slot 61 from below, the engagement claws 69 engage with the underside of the arm 5, holding the pressing member 39 so that it cannot be removed, and holding the outlet unit 6 so that it cannot be displaced forward or backward. In this state, the outlet unit 6 is elastically biased by the compression spring 51 of the pressing member 39, and is therefore held without any rattle.
[0068] In this example, it is preferable that the retaining members 39 are arranged in pairs on the left and right sides and in multiple pairs in the front and rear on the underside of the arm 5. It is also preferable that the retaining members 39 are arranged between adjacent protrusions 36b.
[0069] In Figure 7(E), another Reference example In this example, a rotatable pressing member 39 that can be rotated downward from a horizontal position is disposed at the lower end of the outlet unit 6. The pressing member 39 is rotatably held to the outlet unit 6 by a pin or the like, and can be rotated from the front of the outlet unit 6 with a screwdriver or the like.
[0070] The retaining members 39 are set to a length that, when rotated downward, hits the underside of the arm 5 and lifts the outlet unit 6, and this movement causes the protrusions 36b to fit into the openings 8 of the arm 5. After rotating the left and right retaining members 39 downward, the retaining members 39 can be held in a position in which they have been rotated downward by inserting a plate-shaped stopper between the retaining members 39. By keeping the retaining members 39 braced against the underside of the arm 5, the outlet unit 6 can be held in a state without rattle.
[0071] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be embodied in various other ways. Is, AIt is also possible to use a peripheral cam that rotates around a long axis in the longitudinal direction of the unit, and the rotation of the cam can push up the outlet unit. do.
[0072] Instead of forming the contact portion between the retaining member and the outlet unit in a stepped shape as in the embodiment, it is also possible to form it as an inclined surface that becomes lower toward the back. In this case, it is preferable to form the contact portion at the front end horizontally, because this prevents the downward load of the outlet unit from acting to push the outlet unit in the direction of removal.
[0073] In the embodiment, the outlet unit is composed of three parts: an upper case, a lower case, and a plug holder. However, various structures can be adopted, such as integrating the part corresponding to the plug holder in the embodiment into the upper case. It is also possible to make the outlet unit a one-part structure excluding the electrode plate.
[0074] The opening of the arm may be open in the horizontal direction. In this case, the pressing member acts to push the outlet unit sideways. Therefore, the side plate 39a of the pressing member 39 and the recessed portion 38e of the lower case 38 are arranged one above the other. In the power supply device of the embodiment, the arm protrudes like a cantilever from the upper end of the support post 4, but the power supply device can also be configured in a form in which the arm (holder) is connected to two support posts with both ends supported (in this case, the arm is arranged along the side edge of the table). The power supply device can also be battery-powered. [Industrial Applicability]
[0075] The present invention can be embodied in a power outlet device and a portable power supply device, and is therefore industrially applicable. [Explanation of symbols]
[0076] 1 Power supply device 2 tables 3 Base body 4 pillars 5 Arm (outer case) 6 Outlet Unit 7 Cap 8 Opening (square hole) 35 Outlet 36 Plug holder 36b Protrusion 37 Upper Case 38 Lower case 39 Holding member 48, 49, 50 Upward stepped section 51 Compression spring part 52, 53, 54 Downward step
Claims
1. An electrical appliance comprising an outer case made of a square pipe having four side panels, and an outlet unit inserted into the outer case from one end thereof, A protrusion having a plug insertion port is provided on one surface of the outlet unit, an opening into which a protrusion of the outlet unit fits from inside is formed in one side plate of the outer case that overlaps with the one surface of the outlet unit, the outlet unit being inserted into the outer case from one end, with the protrusion fitting into the opening; A pressing member is inserted into the outer case at a location on the opposite side of the opening, and the pressing member holds the protrusion of the outlet unit in a fitted state in the opening of the outer case. Outlet device.
2. The pressing member is inserted into the outer case in the same direction as the insertion direction of the outlet unit. The outlet device according to claim 1.
3. The contact portion between the outlet unit and the pressing member is formed as a stepped surface or an inclined surface that is lower on the back side of the outer case and higher on the front side. The outlet device according to claim 2.
4. The pressing member has a pair of side plates that sandwich the outlet unit at its sides parallel to the protruding direction of the protrusion when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the outer case, A pair of side surfaces of the outer case parallel to the protruding direction of the protrusions are formed with recessed portions on which the side plates of the pressing member overlap, and end surfaces of the side plates of the pressing member abut against stepped surfaces of the recessed portions.
4. The outlet device according to claim 2 or 3.
5. A portable power supply device comprising a base body that rests on the floor, a support pole that rises from the base body, and an outlet device that extends horizontally in a cantilevered manner from the upper end of the support pole, The outlet device has the configuration of any one of claims 1 to 4, The outer case and the support pole constituting the outlet device are made of a single, continuous square pipe. Portable power supply device.
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