GB2174557A

GB2174557A - Electrical plug disabler

Info

Publication number: GB2174557A
Application number: GB08608764A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Brooks Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-04-02
Filing date: 1986-03-24
Publication date: 1986-11-05
Also published as: EP0216847A1; WO1986005924A1; GB8508514D0; GB8608764D0

Abstract

A fitment for the purpose of preventing at least one of the terminals or pins, of an electrical plug from complete or partial, insertion into a receivable electrical socket, whereby any electrical appliance, to which the plug is connected, will be rendered unconnectible with an electrical current, delivered by that socket.

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical plug disabler This invention relates to a fitment for an electrical plug.

The fitment is for the purpose of preventing at least one of the terminals or pins, of an electrical plug from complete or partial, insertion into a receivable electrical socket, whereby any electrical appliance, to which the plug is connected, will be rendered unconnectible with an electrical current, delivered by that socket.

The modern household has many electrical items which can be extremely hazardous to both people and property, when improperly used by young, infirm or inquisitive persons, who are not under strict supervision.

On industrial premises there are many examples of powerful electrical tools which must not be mishandled in the absence of the officially trained, or competent operative, or be mistakenly used whilst undergoing repair.

In offices there are many electrical items in daily use, which must be maintained in conditions of privacy or non-interference from unauthorised personnel, when left unattended by the official operator.

In all the foregoing examples it is advantageous that, when not in use, nor under supervision, or in storage, such individual items of electrical equipment are either immobilised or inaccessibly locked away.

However, due to circumstances of oversight or negligence, a large number of these potentially dangerous or private appliances, are not stowed securely - especially for short periods of time - but are incautiously left unattended and susceptible to interference from opportunist users, who have merely to interface an appliance with a convenient power point, or data source, in order to obtain ready access to the full functions of the equipment.

The majority of electrical manufacturers do not install lockable isolating switches on small, general purpose items of electrical equipment, therefore there are a limited number of occasions when it is convenient to effect a simple, easy, or speedy immobilisation of an electrical appliance.

According to the present invention, there is provided a fitment which is releasably secured or locked, over an electrical plug, for the purpose of obstructing at least one of the terminals or pins, of the electrical plug from whole or partial, insertion into a receivable electrical socket, whereby any appliance, previously connected to the plug, is prevented from obtaining electrical power or electrical data, from that socket.

Any unattended appliance, having the fitment of the present invention connected or locked, to its electrical plug, will remain effectively immobilised for the period of time determined by the authorised user, or a permitted key-holder.

By way of example, one specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, a trianguloid embodiment of the fitment, in readiness to receive the electrical plug.

Figure 2 shows the electrical plug within the fitment.

Figure 3 shows the fitment containing the plug, and in the locked position.

Referring to Figure 1, the fitment comprises an upper part A. which is joined to the lower part B.

by the hinge H. The lower part B., has a cut-away aperture G., and is provided with a plate F., on to which is capable of engagement with, for example the integral locking mechanism E. From the electrical plug C., extends a composite wire D., which provides a means to connect an electrical current from the plug to an electrical appliance (not shown).

Referring to Figure 2 the electrical plug C is shown inserted inside the lower part B., and the composite wire D. is located in the aperture G.

Referring to Figure 3 the upper part A. is closed over the electrical plug in the lower part B., and these two parts are prevented from separation by the engagement of the locking mechanism E., which is operated by the key K. The cable D. protrudes through the aperture G., but the electrical plug, previously enclosed within the assembly, is incapable of being withdrawn from the formed housing. The terminals of the electrical plug are now inaccessibly covered by the fitment, and in this respect they are prevented from being inserted into any receivable electrical socket.

In order to remove the electrical plug from the fitment, thereby regaining the full useage of the plug, and the appliance to which it is connected, the steps described above are carried out in reverse sequence.

1. A fitment for the purpose of preventing at least one of the terminals or pins, of an electrical plug from complete or partial, insertion into a receivable electrical socket, whereby any electrical appliance, to which the plug is connected, will be rendered unconnectible with an electrical current, delivered by that socket.

2. A fitment, according to Claim 1, which is releasably secured or lockable, to at least one of the terminals or pins, of an electrical plug.

3. A fitment, according to Claims 1 or 2, comprising a housing which wholly or partially, encloses at least one of the terminals or pins, of an electrical plug.

4. A fitment according to Claims 1, 2 or 3, comprising a housing which wholly or partially, encloses an electrical plug.

5. A fitment according to any preceding Claim, comprising a full or partial, cover, which is releasably secured or lockable, to an electrical plug.

6. A fitment according to Claim 5, which is releasably secured or lockable, over an electrical plug.

7. A fitment according to Claims 5 and 6, which

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Electrical plug disabler This invention relates to a fitment for an electrical plug. The fitment is for the purpose of preventing at least one of the terminals or pins, of an electrical plug from complete or partial, insertion into a receivable electrical socket, whereby any electrical appliance, to which the plug is connected, will be rendered unconnectible with an electrical current, delivered by that socket. The modern household has many electrical items which can be extremely hazardous to both people and property, when improperly used by young, infirm or inquisitive persons, who are not under strict supervision. On industrial premises there are many examples of powerful electrical tools which must not be mishandled in the absence of the officially trained, or competent operative, or be mistakenly used whilst undergoing repair. In offices there are many electrical items in daily use, which must be maintained in conditions of privacy or non-interference from unauthorised personnel, when left unattended by the official operator. In all the foregoing examples it is advantageous that, when not in use, nor under supervision, or in storage, such individual items of electrical equipment are either immobilised or inaccessibly locked away. However, due to circumstances of oversight or negligence, a large number of these potentially dangerous or private appliances, are not stowed securely - especially for short periods of time - but are incautiously left unattended and susceptible to interference from opportunist users, who have merely to interface an appliance with a convenient power point, or data source, in order to obtain ready access to the full functions of the equipment. The majority of electrical manufacturers do not install lockable isolating switches on small, general purpose items of electrical equipment, therefore there are a limited number of occasions when it is convenient to effect a simple, easy, or speedy immobilisation of an electrical appliance. According to the present invention, there is provided a fitment which is releasably secured or locked, over an electrical plug, for the purpose of obstructing at least one of the terminals or pins, of the electrical plug from whole or partial, insertion into a receivable electrical socket, whereby any appliance, previously connected to the plug, is prevented from obtaining electrical power or electrical data, from that socket. Any unattended appliance, having the fitment of the present invention connected or locked, to its electrical plug, will remain effectively immobilised for the period of time determined by the authorised user, or a permitted key-holder. By way of example, one specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective, a trianguloid embodiment of the fitment, in readiness to receive the electrical plug. Figure 2 shows the electrical plug within the fitment. Figure 3 shows the fitment containing the plug, and in the locked position. Referring to Figure 1, the fitment comprises an upper part A. which is joined to the lower part B. by the hinge H. The lower part B., has a cut-away aperture G., and is provided with a plate F., on to which is capable of engagement with, for example the integral locking mechanism E. From the electrical plug C., extends a composite wire D., which provides a means to connect an electrical current from the plug to an electrical appliance (not shown). Referring to Figure 2 the electrical plug C is shown inserted inside the lower part B., and the composite wire D. is located in the aperture G. Referring to Figure 3 the upper part A. is closed over the electrical plug in the lower part B., and these two parts are prevented from separation by the engagement of the locking mechanism E., which is operated by the key K. The cable D. protrudes through the aperture G., but the electrical plug, previously enclosed within the assembly, is incapable of being withdrawn from the formed housing. The terminals of the electrical plug are now inaccessibly covered by the fitment, and in this respect they are prevented from being inserted into any receivable electrical socket. In order to remove the electrical plug from the fitment, thereby regaining the full useage of the plug, and the appliance to which it is connected, the steps described above are carried out in reverse sequence. CLAIMS

7. A fitment according to Claims 5 and 6, which is releasably secured or lockable, over at least one electrical cable, previously connected to an electrical plug.

8. A fitment according to any preceding Claim, in which there is provided at least one aperture of sufficient dimensions for the purpose of allowing the passage of at least one cable, previously connected to an electrical plug.

9. A fitment according to Claim 8, in which there is provided an aperture of sufficient dimensions for insertion, or retraction, of the cable, but of insufficient dimensions to allow removal or retraction, of an electrical plug, wholly or partially, enclosed by the fitment.

10. A fitment according to any preceding Claim, comprising a housing or cover, of any externai shape or design, having internal dimensions sufficient to wholly or partially, contain at least one electrical plug.

11. A fitment according to any preceding Claim, comprising a housing, having two or more, interconnecting parts.

12. A fitment according to any preceding Claim, having two or more, hinged parts.

13. A fitment according to any preceding Claim, fabricated from any type of metal, plastic, wood, resin, fabric, or fibrous material, or in any combination or mixture, therefrom.