Socket

Abstract

: A socket (1) comprises a holder (2), at the outer side of which (3) at least two jacks (4) open out, a cover (10) which is mounted movably on the holder (2) between a closed position, in which it closes the jacks (4), and an open position, in which it frees up the jacks (4), a collar (8) which is mounted movably on the holder (2) between a retracted position and an extended position, and an actuating element (11) which is rotatable or pivotable around the collar (8) in the circumferential direction of the collar (8), wherein the actuating element (11), cover (10) and collar (8) are coupled via a coupling mechanism (20) such that, in the rest position, the collar (8) takes up the retracted position and the cover (10) takes up the closed position, and in the actuating position, the collar (8) takes up the extended position and the cover (10) takes up the open position. .

Description

[0001] Power outlet

[0002] The present invention relates to a socket for a mains plug with at least two contact pins, comprising a base, on the outside of which at least two sockets for receiving a contact pin each open out, a cover which is movably mounted on the base between a closed position in which it closes the sockets and an open position in which it releases the sockets, a collar which is movably mounted on the base between a retracted position in which its front end is substantially flush with the said outside, and an extended position in which it protrudes from the outside and surrounds the latter in a collar-like manner, and an actuating element which lies outside the collar and is movably mounted on the base between a rest position and an actuating position, wherein the actuating element, cover and collar are coupled via a coupling mechanism in such a way thatthat in the rest position the collar assumes the retracted position and the cover assumes the closed position and in the actuated position the collar assumes the extended position and the cover assumes the open position.,

[0003] A socket of this type is known from EP 3 830 908 B1 by the same applicant. In one embodiment of this patent specification, the actuating element is a flap for closing the socket, which is hinged outside the collar to a frame of the base and which, when opened, both extends the collar and simultaneously moves the cover into the open position. However, the closing flap covering the socket increases the overall height of the construction. Especially in furniture construction, the smallest possible heights and installation depths are desired in order to be able to install a socket, for example, in a table top or furniture front without compromising the interior of the furniture. In addition, the closing flap requires two-handed operation, because it has to be opened and held with one hand to insert a power plug, while the power plug is inserted with the other hand.Last but not least, the cover flap protrudes when the power plug is plugged in, which makes it vulnerable to impact and breakage.

[0004] The invention aims to improve a socket of the type mentioned so that it is easy to operate, reliable and safe, and at the same time has a minimal installation depth or height when retracted.

[0005] This aim is achieved with a socket of the type mentioned in the introduction which, according to the invention, is characterized in that the actuating element can be rotated or pivoted around the collar in the circumferential direction of the collar.

[0006] The position of the actuating element on the circumference of the collar does not increase the height of the socket, so that its main advantage—the installation height and depth are almost halved compared to conventional sockets—is retained. At the same time, the actuating element that couples the collar and the cover enables trouble-free, simple, and safe one-handed operation of the socket: In a first step, the collar is extended and the cover opened using the actuating element; then, in a second step, the power plug can be inserted—all with one and the same hand.

[0007] If the actuating element acts directly on the collar on the one hand and directly on the cover on the other, there is no need for an additional coupling between the collar and the cover. There is also no need for a failure-prone drive transmission from the actuating element via the collar to the cover or from the actuating element via the cover to the collar. The invention thus enables a particularly failure-resistant, safe and practical design. The actuating element can, for example, be a single- or multi-armed lever, e.g. a wing screw, which can be pivoted around the collar. If, on the other hand, the collar - as is known per se from EP 3 831 908 B1 - is cylindrical on the outside in the area which projects in the extended position, it is particularly advantageous if the actuating element is a rotating ring which surrounds the collar in a form-fitting manner but with play.Such a rotating ring can be grasped at any point and simply turned to extend the collar and open the cover.

[0008] The coupling mechanism between the actuating element, cover, and collar can be designed in any manner known in the art, e.g., in the form of one or more gears, such as toothed gears, lever gears, belt drives, etc., and / or one or more guide cam controls. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a first part of the coupling mechanism acting between the actuating element and the collar comprises a guide cam on the actuating element and a control cam on the collar that interacts with the guide cam, or vice versa. With such a guide cam control, the rotary or pivoting movement of the actuating element, e.g., a rotating ring, can be translated into a linear extension movement of the collar in a particularly simple and trouble-free manner.

[0009] It is particularly advantageous if the coupling mechanism is designed such that, over a first section of the actuating element's travel, the collar is moved from the retracted position to the extended position, and over a subsequent second section of the actuating element's travel, the cover is moved from the closed position to the open position. This ensures that the sockets are only opened when the collar is in the extended position. This prevents the power plug from being inserted when the collar is in the retracted or in an incompletely extended position, thus eliminating the risk of accidentally touching exposed live contact pins on the plug.

[0010] Preferably, the coupling mechanism is designed such that the cover is locked relative to the socket during movement of the actuating element over the first section. This ensures that the socket cover cannot be accidentally or forcibly forced open by means of the contact pins as long as the collar is not yet in its extended position.

[0011] To lock the cover, it can be provided, in particular, that the collar is guided linearly displaceably in the extension direction on the base and, over the first section of the actuation travel, also linearly displaceable relative to the cover, and is free from the cover over the second section of the actuation travel. This results in a structurally particularly simple and secure locking function.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of this variant, for example, one of the two components, collar and cover, has a groove running in the extension direction, in which a projection of the other component is guided during the extension of the collar until the projection is released from the groove in the extended position of the collar.

[0013] Returning to the coupling mechanism, the coupling between the actuating element and the cover can, as discussed, be designed in any manner known in the art, for example with the aid of gears and / or link controls. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cover is mounted on the base so as to be rotatable between its closed position and its open position and is spring-loaded into the closed position, and a second part of the coupling mechanism acting between the actuating element and the cover has an arm on the cover and a stop on the actuating element which interacts with the arm and bears against the arm over the second section of the actuating travel in order to rotate the cover against its spring load into the open position. This achieves particularly trouble-free and, at the same time, safe actuation of the cover.

[0014] Some sockets, such as German Type F or CEE 7 / 3 sockets, have guide rails for the power plug on the inner circumference of the collar. These include two diametrically opposed guide rails grooved in the direction of insertion, which, in accordance with the plug standard, are set back slightly from the end of the collar. When the collar is retracted, with the end of the collar and the outside of the socket flush, small holes are created there, which are not only unsightly but also prone to dirt.In order to avoid this, in a further advantageous embodiment the collar has at least one guide strip for a mains plug, which is movably mounted on the collar between a position flush with the front side of the collar and a position recessed relative to the front side, is spring-loaded into its recessed position and is pressed into its flush position by stops on a part of the base when the collar is retracted.

[0015] The collar is preferably equipped with at least one protective contact spring. It is particularly advantageous if each protective contact spring is extended toward the base to form a spring arm, via which it is electrically connected to an earthing terminal of the base. The protective contact spring with its spring arm can, for example, be formed from a single metal strip, for example by punching and bending, which eliminates the need for separate sliding contacts, connecting wires, etc. for contacting.

[0016] The cover, which selectively closes or opens the sockets, can be designed in any manner known in the art. For example, the cover can be formed by a plate that rotates parallel to the outside of the base and has openings that can be brought into or out of alignment with the sockets. Or the cover can be a spring-loaded slider that can be moved parallel to the outside of the base and is equipped with such openings.

[0017] The cover can, for example, be located directly above the outer side of the base. However, if the base has a cover wall that presents the outer side and is penetrated by the sockets, the cover is preferably located below the cover wall, where it is protected from tampering.

[0018] The sockets themselves can also be designed in any way known in technology. For example, the sockets could be completely pre-assembled and built into the base. Preferably, however, each socket is simply formed by an opening in the cover wall and a spring clip located at a distance below the cover wall, which enables particularly simple and cost-effective production. Each such spring clip can, in particular, be formed from a metal strip that can be electrically contacted on two opposite sides of the base. The electrical connecting cables for contacting the sockets can thus be connected to either side of the socket.

[0019] A further preferred embodiment of the socket according to the invention is characterized in that the actuating element can be releasably locked in the actuating position by means of a spring catch acting relative to the base. This provides the user with haptic feedback that the socket is fully extended, open, and ready for use.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figs. 1a and 1b show the socket of the invention in the retracted position (Fig. 1a) and the extended position (Fig. 1b), respectively, in a perspective view;

[0021] Fig. 2 shows the socket of the invention in a perspective exploded view; Figs. 3a to 5b show the socket of the invention in further views, each in the retracted position (Figs. 3a, 4a, 5a) and extended position (Figs. 3b, 4b, 5b), specifically in axial sections parallel to the retraction and extension directions (Figs. 3a, 3b), in perspective half sections (Figs. 4a, 4b) and in perspective bottom views with the base removed (Figs. 5a, 5b); Figs. 6a and 6b show some of the components of the socket of the invention in the retracted position (Fig. 6a) and extended position (Fig. 6b), each in a perspective top view; and Fig. 7a and 7b show the spring terminals of the sockets and the protective contact springs with sections of the connecting cables in the retracted position (Fig. 7a) and extended position (Fig. 7b), respectively, in a perspective top view.

[0022] With reference to Figs. 1a to 7b, a socket 1 for a mains plug (not shown) comprises a base 2 having (at least) two sockets 4 on its (here: upper) outer side 3 for receiving contact pins of the mains plug. Each socket 4 generally accommodates one contact pin of the mains plug, and the number and arrangement of the sockets 4 on the outer side 3 of the base 2 depends on the standard of the mains plug or socket 1.

[0023] Socket 1 is generally suitable for any type of standard, particularly for plug standards that require contact protection for the contact pins of the power plug, and in particular, earthing, as explained in more detail later. Examples of standards for which socket 1 is suitable include plugs of types A to N or the CEE Series 7, both for household mains voltages of 110 to 250 volts and for three-phase networks of, for example, 400 volts. In the case of a "German" socket of type F (CEE 7 / 3), socket 1 has, for example, two sockets 4 and two diametrically opposed protective contact springs 30, which will be explained later. However, it is also possible for socket 1 to have three sockets 4, for example, if the protective contact of the power plug is also designed as a contact pin, as with plug types B, D, or G to N, or even more than three sockets 4, e.g.in the case of a three-phase socket or in special applications such as charging sockets for electric vehicles, which, in addition to the current-carrying sockets and the protective contacts, also have signal contacts.

[0024] The base 2 can, for example, be mounted directly in a flush-mounted wall box, in a housing, on a wall, in a piece of furniture, etc. and contain or carry electrical connections via which the sockets 4 can be electrically connected to the power grid. The base 2 can, however, also be equipped with a mounting structure 5 - which here belongs to the base 2 - e.g. formed integrally with it or mounted on or in it. The mounting structure 5 can, for example, be a mounting plate or, as shown, a box for surface-mounted or flush-mounted installation, for installation in a table top, a piece of furniture, a device housing or a multiple socket, etc., with corresponding access openings 6 for electrical cables 7 to the electrical connections of the sockets 4 and protective contact springs 30 inside the base 2. Instead of a box, the mounting structure 5 could also be a basket, scaffolding or skeleton.

[0025] A collar 8 is movably mounted on the base 2, namely between a retracted position in which its end face 9 is essentially flush with the outer side 3 of the base 2 (Fig. 1a, 3a, 4a, 5a), and an extended position in which it protrudes from the outer side 3 and surrounds it like a collar (Fig. 1b, 3b, 4b, 5b). In its extended position, the collar 8 serves as a contact guard for the contact pins of the mains plug (not shown) as long as these are not yet fully inserted into the sockets 4.

[0026] For this purpose, the extension or projection height H of the collar 8 relative to the outer side 3 of the base 2 is at least as great as the longest possible exposed electrically conductive length of the contact pins of the mains plug. In the case of a type F (CEE 7 / 4) mains plug, the contact pin length is, for example, 19 mm and the projection height H is at least 17.5 mm. However, since the contact surfaces inside the sockets 4 are generally set back somewhat from the outer side 3, for example by up to 8 mm if they are formed by spring terminals located below at a distance (as described in more detail later with reference to Figs. 7a and 7b), the projection height H can also be correspondingly smaller. This is because the contact pins of the mains plug only begin to conduct current when they actually touch the inner electrically conductive contact surfaces of the sockets 4.From this point on, the collar 8 should be extended far enough to prevent accidental contact with the contact pins of the mains plug with the fingers.

[0027] According to some standards, a small gap of, for example, less than 1 mm may remain between the mains plug to be inserted and the edge of the collar 8, so that the cantilever height H can also be reduced by this gap if necessary.

[0028] To ensure that a mains plug can only be inserted into the socket 1 when the collar 8 is in the extended contact protection position (Fig. 1b, 3b, 4b, 5b) or at least has already been extended so far that any remaining gap no longer allows accidental contact with the contact pins of the mains plug, the sockets 4 are equipped with a cover 10 in the manner of a "shutter". The cover 10 closes the sockets 4 when the collar 8 is in the retracted position (Fig. 1a, 3a, 4a, 5a) and releases them when the collar 8 is in the extended position (Fig. 1b, 3b, 4b, 5b).

[0029] To actuate the collar 8 and cover 10, an actuating element 11 is located outside the collar 8 and is movably mounted on the base 2 between a rest position, which is shown in Figs. 1a, 3a, 4a and 5a, and an actuated position, which is shown in Figs. 1b, 3b, 4b and 5b. In the example shown here, in which the collar 8 is cylindrical on the outside at least in the area that protrudes in the extended position, the actuating element 11 is a rotating ring that surrounds the collar 8 in a form-fitting manner but with play, so that it can be rotated or pivoted around the collar 8. For this purpose, the rotating ring 11 is provided on its outer circumference with serrations 12 to make it easier to grip and rotate.

[0030] While the inner circumference of the collar 8 is essentially determined by the connector standard used, the outer circumference of the collar 8 can have any shape, not just cylindrical as shown.

[0031] Instead of a rotating ring, the actuating element 11 could be any element, including, for example, a single- or multi-armed lever or a wing screw, which can be rotated or pivoted around the collar 8 in the circumferential direction U of the collar 8.

[0032] The rotating ring 11 could also be recessed with its upper surface flush with a surrounding wall, tabletop, furniture front, cabinet front, floor, etc., in which case the ribbing 12 would be omitted. To enable easy operation of the rotating ring 11 from above in such a case, recessed grips, fold-out or protruding grip tabs, or the like, could be incorporated into its upper surface.

[0033] If the collar 8 (at least in its projecting region in the extended position) is cylindrical on the outside and thus has a cylinder axis A that is parallel to the retraction and extension direction R of the collar 8, then the rotational or pivoting movement of the actuating element 11 preferably (although not necessarily) takes place about this axis A. If the actuating element 11 is a rotating ring, then the axis of the rotating ring is preferably coaxial with the axis A.

[0034] In the example shown, the actuating element 11, here the rotating ring, is rotatably or pivotably mounted on or in a type of box, which here forms the mounting structure 5 of the base 2. The box has a box base 13, which in the middle supports the outer side 3 of the base 2, which presents the sockets 4, projecting upwards, and a box wall 14 extending radially around the outer side 3, on or in which the rotating ring 11 is mounted. The rotating ring 11 has a skirt 15 that projects down into the box 13, 14.

[0035] The collar 8 is located in the radial distance or gap between the outer side 3 and the rotating ring 11 or skirt 15. The collar 8 can, for example, be guided along the outer peripheral surface of the part of the base 2 presenting the outer side 3, optionally with a circumferential seal interposed. Alternatively or additionally, the collar 8 can be guided along an inner peripheral surface of the rotating ring 11 and / or its skirt 15, again optionally with a circumferential seal interposed.

[0036] The cover 10, which closes the sockets 4 in their closed position and releases them in their open position, can be designed in a variety of ways. For example, the cover 10 could be a slider movable on the base 2 transversely to the insertion direction of the power plug or the retraction and extension direction R of the collar 8. This slider is mounted above or below a cover wall 16 of the base 2 that presents the outer side 3 and has openings that can be brought into or out of alignment with the openings 18 of the sockets 4 that open out on the outer side 3.

[0037] In the example shown, the cover 10 is a plate mounted below the cover wall 16 of the base 2 so as to be rotatable or pivotable about the axis A, with openings 19 which, in the open position of the cover 10 (first rotational position), are aligned with the openings 18 of the cover wall 16 and, in the closed position of the cover 10 (second rotational position), are out of alignment with the openings 18.

[0038] The movements of the actuating element (here: rotating ring) 11, cover 10 and collar 8 are coupled via a coupling mechanism generally designated 20 in such a way that in the rest position of the actuating element 11 (Fig. 1a, 3a, 4a, 5a) the collar 8 assumes the retracted position and the cover 10 assumes the closed position, and in the actuating position of the actuating element 11 (Fig. 1b, 3b, 4b, 5b) the collar 8 assumes the extended position and the cover 10 assumes the open position.

[0039] The coupling mechanism 20 can be formed by any desired combination of corresponding machine elements such as link controls, gear drives, lever drives, belt drives, etc. In this case, it is possible for a drive train to be formed from the actuating element 11 via the collar 8 to the cover 10 or from the actuating element 11 via the cover 10 to the collar 8, or for the actuating element 11 to act directly on the collar 8 on the one hand and directly on the cover 10 on the other, or for all three components, actuating element 11, collar 8 and cover 10, to be coupled to one another in pairs.

[0040] In the example shown, the actuating element 11 acts on the one hand on the collar 8 to extend and retract it, and on the other hand on the cover 10 to open and close it.

[0041] In a first embodiment, the movements of collar 8 and cover 10 can occur simultaneously, whereby in an intermediate position of the collar 8, the cover 10 will also be in an intermediate position in which it only partially closes the sockets 4; under certain circumstances, this can already prevent the insertion of contact pins of larger diameter and thus an unintentional contact with the current-carrying contact pins.

[0042] However, according to some connector standards, intermediate positions of the cover 10 that do not completely close the sockets 4 or leave a gap of, for example, 1 mm or more may be impermissible. In a second embodiment—and as shown in the drawings—the coupling mechanism 20 is therefore designed to cause a time-delayed movement of the collar 8 and the cover 10, so that the cover 10 is only opened when the collar 8 is fully extended.In other words, the coupling mechanism 20 is designed such that it moves the collar 8 from the retracted position to the extended position over a first section (here: angle of rotation about the axis A) Bi of the actuating path (here: pivoting path) of the actuating element 11 and then moves the cover 10 from its closed position to its open position over a subsequent second section (here: angle of rotation about the axis A) B2 of the actuating path of the actuating element 11.

[0043] For this purpose, the coupling mechanism 20 can, for example, be divided into two parts, a first part acting between the actuating element 11 and the collar 8 and a second part acting between the actuating element 11 and the cover 10.

[0044] The first part of the coupling mechanism 20 can, for example, be designed as a link control, with a link 21, for example in the form of two oblique grooves 22 arranged diametrically on the apron 15 on the one hand, and control cams 23 scanning the link 21, for example in the form of two diametrically projecting pins on the outer circumference of the collar 8 on the other hand. It is understood that the link control could also be designed in kinematic inversion, i.e. with one or more links 21 on the collar 8 on the one hand and control cams 23 cooperating therewith on the apron 15 on the other hand.

[0045] When the rotating ring 11 is rotated over the first section Bi, the control cams 23 of the collar 8 ride up the guides 21, whereby the collar 8 is extended.

[0046] The links 21 also comprise a circumferentially extending runout region 24 adjoining the oblique grooves 22, in which runout region a rotation of the rotating ring 11 beyond the second section B2 no longer causes the collar 8 to extend further. In other words, the collar 8 is in its extended position at the end of the first section B1 and throughout the entire second section B2. In the second section B2 of the actuating travel of the actuating element 11, the latter now acts on the cover 10 to move it from its closed position to its open position.

[0047] For this purpose, the cover 10 can, for example, have at least one arm 25 (here: two diametrical arms 25), and the actuating element 11 has for each arm 25 - e.g. on the inner circumference of the apron 15 - a cooperating stop 26 which comes to rest on the respective arm 25 when the second section B2 is reached and then rests on the arm 25 throughout the entire second section B2 in order to rotate the cover 10 from its closed position at the beginning of the section B2 into its open position at the end of the section B2.

[0048] When the actuating element 11 is moved back from its actuating position to its rest position, conversely, the cover 10 is first returned to the closed position via the section B2 and then the collar 8 is retracted via the section Bi.

[0049] To return the cover 10 to its closed position, the cover 10 can optionally be spring-loaded into its closed position so that its arms 25 follow the retreating stops 26 until they then release from them upon entry into the first section B. For spring-loading the cover 10 relative to the base 2, a rotary or torsion spring 27 located beneath the cover 10 serves, for example, which is attached at one end to the cover 10 and at the other end to the base 2.

[0050] In order to prevent the cover 10 from being accidentally opened or forced open in an intermediate position 8 of the collar 8, e.g. by means of a screwdriver, the contact pins of the power plug or small children's fingers, the coupling mechanism 20 can optionally be designed such that the cover 10 is locked relative to the base 2 during the movement of the actuating element 11 over the first section Bi. This can be done e.g. by means of appropriate link controls and / or gears in the coupling mechanism 20. In the example shown, for this purpose the collar 8 is guided on the base 2 in a linearly displaceable manner in the retraction and extension direction R, e.g. by means of appropriate guide rails.On the other hand, the collar 8 is guided linearly displaceably relative to the cover 10 over the first section B1 of the actuating travel of the actuating element 11 in the retraction and extension direction R and is released from the cover 10 over the second section B2 of the actuating travel of the actuating element 11. As a result, the cover 10 can only be opened after the collar 8 has been extended.

[0051] In the example shown, one of the two components, collar 8 and cover 10 (here: the collar 8), has one or more grooves 28 running in the retraction and extension direction R, in each of which a projection (here: one of the arms 25) of the other component (here: the cover 10) is guided during the extension of the collar 8, until the projections or (here:) arms 25 are released from the grooves 28 in the extended position of the collar 8, ie at the end of section Bi and the beginning of section B2. The cover 10, which is released from the collar 8, can now be rotated from the closed position into the open position via section B2.

[0052] In each of the aforementioned embodiments, the collar 8 can optionally be equipped with one or more protective contact springs 30, depending on the plug standard. For example, in type E or F plugs, two protective contact springs 30 are located on opposite inner circumferential sides of the collar 8 in corresponding recesses. The protective contact springs 30 can be connected, for example, via cables (not shown) to a corresponding grounding connection in the base 2, which is accessible, for example, via the opening 6 of the base 2.

[0053] Instead of contacting via wires, sliding contacts, etc. (not shown), as in Figs. 5a, 5b, 7a, and 7b, each protective contact spring 30 can optionally be extended toward the base 2 to form a spring arm 31, via which it is connected to a corresponding grounding terminal of the base 2 for connecting the connecting cable 7. From Figs. 7a and 7b, it can be seen that the spring arms 31 bend elastically when the collar 8 is extended. To facilitate bending, the spring arms 31 can form loops.

[0054] A protective contact spring 30 with its spring arm 31 or two diametrical protective contact springs 30 with their spring arms 31 can also be punched and bent in one piece from a single metal strip.

[0055] The sockets 4 can, for example, be pre-assembled components that are built into the base 2. To simplify production, in the example shown, each socket 4 is formed only by its corresponding opening 18 in the cover wall 16 and a spring terminal 32 located at a distance below the cover wall 16 (Fig. 7a, 7b). The spring terminal 32 of a socket 4 can, for example, be formed from a metal strip 33 by punching and bending, which can be electrically contacted on two opposite sides of the base 2. The connecting cable 7 can therefore be connected to the metal strips 33 of the spring terminals 32 and the spring arms 31 of the protective contact springs 30 on both sides of the socket 1.

[0056] In some plug standards, for example plugs of type F, the collar 8 has at least one, usually two, guide strips 34 on its inside, which guide a mains plug in the insertion direction and thus in the retraction and extension direction R of the collar 8. The guide strips 34 are usually grooved, e.g. they have a central, inward-facing groove 35 running in the direction R.

[0057] According to some plug standards, the guide strips 34 end in the extended position of the collar 8 at a distance C from its end face 9 (Fig. 1b). When the collar 8 is retracted (Fig. 1a), this would result in a hole susceptible to dirt on the flush surface of the end face 9 of the collar 8 and the outer side 3 of the base 2. To prevent this, the guide strips 34 can be movably mounted with respect to the collar 8, specifically between a position flush with the end face 9 of the collar 8 (Fig. 1a) and a position recessed relative to the end face 9 of the collar 8 (Fig. 1b).

[0058] Any desired link control and / or gear mechanism can be used for this movement of the guide rails 34 relative to the collar 8. In the example shown, the guide rails 34 are spring-loaded into their retracted position (Fig. 1b), specifically by compression springs 36 which are supported in the collar 8 and act on arms 37 of the guide rails 33 which extend into it accordingly. When the collar 8 is retracted, the lower ends of the guide rails 34 strike a part of the base 2, for example directly on the can base 13, shortly before the collar 8 reaches the retracted position, so that they are pressed by the base against the force of the compression springs 36 into their position flush with the end face 9 of the collar 8 (Fig. 1a).

[0059] In order to provide the user with haptic feedback regarding the collar 8 reaching its extended position upon actuation of the actuating element 11, the latter can be releasably locked in its actuating position by means of a spring catch acting relative to the base 2. The spring catch can be formed, for example, by spring-loaded pressure pieces or, as here, two balls 38, which are pressed by springs 39 in the base 2 toward the actuating element 11, where they gently slide into corresponding recesses 40 of the actuating element 11 at the end of section B2 of the actuating travel.

[0060] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but includes all variants, modifications and combinations thereof that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Socket (1) for a mains plug with at least two contact pins, comprising a base (2), on the outer side (3) of which at least two sockets (4) each open out, for receiving a contact pin, a cover (10) which is movably mounted on the base (2) between a closed position in which it closes the sockets (4) and an open position in which it releases the sockets (4), a collar (8) which is movably mounted on the base (2) between a retracted position in which its end face (9) is substantially flush with said outer side (3), and an extended position in which it protrudes from the outer side (3) and surrounds the latter in a collar-like manner, and an actuating element (11) which lies outside the collar (8) and is movably mounted on the base (2) between a rest position and an actuating position, wherein the actuating element (11),The cover (10) and collar (8) are coupled via a coupling mechanism (20) such that, in the rest position, the collar (8) assumes the retracted position and the cover (10) assumes the closed position, and in the actuating position, the collar (8) assumes the extended position and the cover (10) assumes the open position, characterized in that the actuating element (11) is rotatable or pivotable around the collar (8) in the circumferential direction of the collar (8).

2. Socket according to claim 1, wherein the collar (8) is cylindrical on the outside in its region projecting in the extended position, characterized in that the actuating element (11) is a rotating ring which surrounds the collar (8) in a form-fitting manner but with play.

3. Socket according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that between the actuating element (11) and the collar (8) acting first part of the coupling mechanism (20) has a link (21) on the actuating element (11) and a control cam (23) on the collar (8) cooperating with the link (21), or vice versa.

4. Socket according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (20) is designed such that the collar (8) is moved from the retracted position to the extended position via a first section (Bi) of the actuating path of the actuating element (11) and the cover (10) is moved from the closed position to the open position via a subsequent second section (B2) of the actuating path.

5. Socket according to claim 4, characterized in that the coupling mechanism (20) is designed such that the cover (10) is locked relative to the base (2) during the movement of the actuating element (11) over the first section (Bi).

6. Socket according to claim 5, characterized in that the collar (8) is guided so as to be linearly displaceable in the extension direction (R) on the base (2) and, over the first section (Bi) of the actuating path, also linearly displaceable relative to the cover (10) and is released from the cover (10) over the second section (B2) of the actuating path.

7. Socket according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that one of the two components, collar (8) and cover (10), has a groove (28) running in the extension direction (R), in which groove a projection (25) of the other component (10, 8) is guided during the extension of the collar (8) until the projection (25) is released from the groove (28) in the extended position of the collar (8).

8. Socket according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the cover (10) is rotatably mounted on the base (2) between its closed position and its open position and is spring-loaded into the closed position, wherein a second part of the coupling mechanism (20) acting between the actuating element (11) and the cover (10) has an arm (25) on the cover (10) and a stop (26) on the actuating element (11) which cooperates with the arm (25) and which bears against the arm (25) over the second section (B2) of the actuating path in order to rotate the cover (10) into the open position against its spring load.

9. Socket according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the collar (8) has at least one guide strip (34) for a mains plug, which is movably mounted on the collar (8) between a position flush with the end face (9) of the collar (8) and a position recessed relative to the end face (9), is spring-loaded into its recessed position and is pressed into its flush position by stops on a part (13) of the base (2) when the collar (8) is retracted.

10. Socket according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the collar (8) is equipped with at least one protective contact spring (30).

11. Socket according to claim 10, characterized in that each protective contact spring (30) is extended in the direction of the base (2) to a spring arm (31) via which it is electrically connected to an earth connection of the base (2).

12. Socket according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the base (2) has a cover wall (16) which presents the said outer side (3) and is penetrated by the sockets (4), the cover (10) being located below the cover wall (16) in order to close the sockets (4) in the closed position and to release them in the open position.

13. Socket according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that each socket (4) is formed by an opening (18) in the cover wall (16) and a spring clamp (32) located at a distance below the cover wall (16).

14. Socket according to claim 13, characterized in that each spring terminal (32) is formed from a metal strip (33) that can be electrically contacted on two opposite sides of the base (2).

15. Socket according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the actuating element (11) can be releasably locked in the actuating position by means of a spring catch (38-40) acting relative to the base (2).

Images