GB2189354A

GB2189354A - Electrical power outlet system

Info

Publication number: GB2189354A
Application number: GB08609674A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Robert Bruff; Neil Carmichael
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-04-21
Filing date: 1986-04-21
Publication date: 1987-10-21
Also published as: GB8609674D0

Abstract

The system comprises one or more modules (12) dimensioned to fit in a trough (10) in a desk or other article of furniture so as to present one or more socket outlets (14) to the user. Each module (12) has a power inlet and a power outlet (26), the latter being shuttered. Modules may be interconnected by leads (Fig. 4) including a shuttered plug (34) for insertion in the module power inlet. The module (12) preferably comprises an earth-leakage circuit breaker between the or each socket outlet and the power inlet, the power inlet and outlet being interconnected by means bypassing the circuit breaker. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical power outlet system This invention relates to an electrical power outlet system intended particularly for use with office furniture.

With increasing use of electrically powered desktop office machinery, there has come a need for providing power at the desk in a convenient manner and avoiding a multiplicity of power cables on the floor.

It is known to make provision for power supply in desks orthe like. In one known type, a metal trough is provided along the front of the desktop, in which one or more socket outlet boxes can be positioned. These are supplied via a cable passing through a hollow leg to a plug and socket connection on the floor. Each outlet box has a power inlet at one end and a power outlet at the other end for connection to the supply and to another box, respectively, via connecting leads.

One problem with such known systems is that the connectors used with the connecting leads have a low level of safety, and a dangerous condition can easily arise from inadvertence or accident.

An object of the present invention is to modify such a system so as to provide improved safety.

The invention is defined in the appended claims.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which Figure lisa perspective view of a power outlet module for positioning in a trough member; Figure2 is an end view ofan inlet end socketofthe module of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of an outlet end socket of the module of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a connecting lead.

Referring to Figure 1, the system of the present invention is intended for use with desks or other articles offurniture provided with a sunken trough memberwhose shape is indicated at 10 for receiving the power supply system. The trough member 10 will normally be provided with a hinged cover (not shown).

The system includes one or more power outlet modules, one of which is seen in Figure 1 andgener- ally designated 12. Each module 12 has a width and depth suitable for being received within the trough member 10. The module 12 illustrated is provided on its top surface with two conventional switched 13 amp socket outlets indicated at 14,which are availableforthe user to plug in a desired electrical appliance.

Each module 12 is provided at one end with a power inlet and at the other end with a power outlet.

Thus a module may be placed in the trough member 10 and connected via its inlet with a source of supply.

Afurther module may then ifdesired be positioned in the same trough and have its inlet end connected to the outlet end ofthefirst module buy a shortconne ctingcable.

Referring to Figure 2, the inlet end is provided with a socket, generally designated at 16 of known type.

The socket 16 comprises a mou Ided plastics receptacle 18 within which are earth, neutral and line pins 20.

The outlet end as seen in Figure 1 is provided with a socket generally designated 26, this socket also being of known type. The socket 26 (see also Figure 3) has a plastics receptacle 28 integrally moulded with a plastics block 30 containing earth, neutral and line sprung contacts. The line and neutral contacts are provided with shutters 32 which are opened by cams 33 when a mating plug is inserted in the receptacle 28.

Thusthe inlet end the pins 20 are not shrouded or shuttered, but in this condition the pins 20 will never be live. At the outlet end the contacts are shuttered to avoid inadvertent contact.

Power is supplied to the inlet end via a plug seen in Figure 4 and generally designated 34. The plug 34 has a main body 36with a projection 38 for insertion within the socket receptacle 18. In this condition the socket pins 20 mate with sprung contacts within the projection 38. As seen in Figure 4, the line and neutral contacts are provided with shutters 42 which are spring biased to shutter the contacts but are opened by projecting cam surfaces 44 when the projection 38 is inserted into the receptacle 18. Thus it is not possibleforthe live parts of a plug 36 in the system to be brought inadvertently into contact with thetrough member 10.

Connection from the outlet end is made via a plug (50) also seen in Figure 4which comprises pins 52 within a shroud 54. The pins 52 are not protected from inadvertent contact but at times when such contact is possible, these pins will not be live.

It will be understood that connection between one module and another is made by means of a short connecting lead 54 having a plug 36 on one end and a plug 50 on the other end (Figure 4).

Preferably each module 12 also includes a miniature circuit breaker connected between the socket outlets 14 and the power inlet; the position of this is indicated in broken lines in Figure 1. Preferably also connection between the power inlet and power outlet of the module bypasses the circuit breaker. Thus an overload of a particular module will trip that module's circuit breaker without interrupting supply to other modules.

1. An electrical power outlet system comprising one or more modules dimensioned to fit in a given structural member, each module having a power supply inlet, a power supply outlet, and at least one power socket for receipt of an appliance plug, whereby a first module may be connected via its power supply inlet to a source of power and a second module may be connected via its power supply inlet to the power supply outlet ofthe first module; the or each power supply outlet including shutter means preventing access thereto exceptwhen opened bya mating plug of a firsttype; the system further including forthe or each power supply inlet a supply cable terminated in a plug of a second type having electrical connector parts shrouded by insulating material

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Electrical power outlet system This invention relates to an electrical power outlet system intended particularly for use with office furniture. With increasing use of electrically powered desktop office machinery, there has come a need for providing power at the desk in a convenient manner and avoiding a multiplicity of power cables on the floor. It is known to make provision for power supply in desks orthe like. In one known type, a metal trough is provided along the front of the desktop, in which one or more socket outlet boxes can be positioned. These are supplied via a cable passing through a hollow leg to a plug and socket connection on the floor. Each outlet box has a power inlet at one end and a power outlet at the other end for connection to the supply and to another box, respectively, via connecting leads. One problem with such known systems is that the connectors used with the connecting leads have a low level of safety, and a dangerous condition can easily arise from inadvertence or accident. An object of the present invention is to modify such a system so as to provide improved safety. The invention is defined in the appended claims. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which Figure lisa perspective view of a power outlet module for positioning in a trough member; Figure2 is an end view ofan inlet end socketofthe module of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of an outlet end socket of the module of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a connecting lead. Referring to Figure 1, the system of the present invention is intended for use with desks or other articles offurniture provided with a sunken trough memberwhose shape is indicated at 10 for receiving the power supply system. The trough member 10 will normally be provided with a hinged cover (not shown). The system includes one or more power outlet modules, one of which is seen in Figure 1 andgener- ally designated 12. Each module 12 has a width and depth suitable for being received within the trough member 10. The module 12 illustrated is provided on its top surface with two conventional switched 13 amp socket outlets indicated at 14,which are availableforthe user to plug in a desired electrical appliance. Each module 12 is provided at one end with a power inlet and at the other end with a power outlet. Thus a module may be placed in the trough member 10 and connected via its inlet with a source of supply. Afurther module may then ifdesired be positioned in the same trough and have its inlet end connected to the outlet end ofthefirst module buy a shortconne ctingcable. Referring to Figure 2, the inlet end is provided with a socket, generally designated at 16 of known type. The socket 16 comprises a mou Ided plastics receptacle 18 within which are earth, neutral and line pins 20. The outlet end as seen in Figure 1 is provided with a socket generally designated 26, this socket also being of known type. The socket 26 (see also Figure 3) has a plastics receptacle 28 integrally moulded with a plastics block 30 containing earth, neutral and line sprung contacts. The line and neutral contacts are provided with shutters 32 which are opened by cams 33 when a mating plug is inserted in the receptacle 28. Thusthe inlet end the pins 20 are not shrouded or shuttered, but in this condition the pins 20 will never be live. At the outlet end the contacts are shuttered to avoid inadvertent contact. Power is supplied to the inlet end via a plug seen in Figure 4 and generally designated 34. The plug 34 has a main body 36with a projection 38 for insertion within the socket receptacle 18. In this condition the socket pins 20 mate with sprung contacts within the projection 38. As seen in Figure 4, the line and neutral contacts are provided with shutters 42 which are spring biased to shutter the contacts but are opened by projecting cam surfaces 44 when the projection 38 is inserted into the receptacle 18. Thus it is not possibleforthe live parts of a plug 36 in the system to be brought inadvertently into contact with thetrough member 10. Connection from the outlet end is made via a plug (50) also seen in Figure 4which comprises pins 52 within a shroud 54. The pins 52 are not protected from inadvertent contact but at times when such contact is possible, these pins will not be live. It will be understood that connection between one module and another is made by means of a short connecting lead 54 having a plug 36 on one end and a plug 50 on the other end (Figure 4). Preferably each module 12 also includes a miniature circuit breaker connected between the socket outlets 14 and the power inlet; the position of this is indicated in broken lines in Figure 1. Preferably also connection between the power inlet and power outlet of the module bypasses the circuit breaker. Thus an overload of a particular module will trip that module's circuit breaker without interrupting supply to other modules. CLAIMS

1. An electrical power outlet system comprising one or more modules dimensioned to fit in a given structural member, each module having a power supply inlet, a power supply outlet, and at least one power socket for receipt of an appliance plug, whereby a first module may be connected via its power supply inlet to a source of power and a second module may be connected via its power supply inlet to the power supply outlet ofthe first module; the or each power supply outlet including shutter means preventing access thereto exceptwhen opened bya mating plug of a firsttype; the system further including forthe or each power supply inlet a supply cable terminated in a plug of a second type having electrical connector parts shrouded by insulating material and shutter means preventing access to said connector parts except when opened by insertion in the powersupplyinlet.

2. A module for use in the system of claim 1, comprising a substantially box-shaped casing, one or more socket outiets in a top surface of the casing, a supply inlet socket in one end face of the casing, and a supply outlet socket in the other end face ofthe casing; the supply inlet socket comprising a receptacle into which project connector pins; the supply outlet socket comprising an insulating block contain- ing spring contacts, and shutter means for at least some of said contacts arranged to be opened by insertion of a mating plug.

3. The module of claim 2, including a miniature circuit breaker connected between the power supply inlet socket and the socket outlet(s).

4. Aplugforuse in the system ofclaim 1,compr- ising a body, a projection of insulating material extending from the body, spring contacts in said projection for access via openings in the exterior of said projection, and shutter means for at least some of said openings arranged to be opened by insertion ofthe plug into a mating socket.

5. The plug ofclaim4having line and neutral contacts whose shutter means each comprise a shutter spring biased to close the respective opening and a cam extending outwardly of said projection for engagement with a socket receptacle.