GB2385719A

GB2385719A - Supporting frame for components of interlocked electic sockets

Info

Publication number: GB2385719A
Application number: GB0204498A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrea Percio
Original assignee: Industria Lombarda Materiale Elettrico ILME SpA
Current assignee: Industria Lombarda Materiale Elettrico ILME SpA
Priority date: 2002-02-26
Filing date: 2002-02-26
Publication date: 2003-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2022-02-26
Also published as: FR2837626A3; GB2385719B; GB0204498D0; FR2837626B3

Abstract

A supporting frame (5) for components (4) of interlocked sockets (100) has engagement means (14, 15, 19, 22) for securing said components (4) and is intended to be housed inside a casing (2, 3) of an interlocked socket.

Description

SUPPORTING FRAME FOR COMPONENTS OF INTERLOCKED

ELECTRIC SOCKETS EL C DESCRIPTION The present invention refers to a supporting frame for components of interlocked electric sockets Interlocked electric sockets are devices for electric power distribution that can be wall-mounted or installed on supporting boards. An interlocked socket essentially consists of a switch, optional protective devices and an industrial socket (according to European standard EN 60309) and is characterised in that it is provided with an interlocking mechanism. Thanks to said interlocking mechanism, a plug can be inserted into/removed from the socket only when the switch is off and the switch can be turned on only when the plug is inserted in the socket.

Said interlocked sockets have a protective casing normally consisting of a base housing and a cover. The various structural elements (socket, switch, protection, etc.) are usually mounted using the base housing or the inside of the cover directly as a support and are connected to one another by means of lengths of electric cable.

This leads to drawbacks due to a certain difficulty in installing the cables for connecting the interlocked socket to the electrical system because of the lack of available space around the various elements.

Interlocked sockets are built both in versions with a casing of insulating material and with a casing of metallic material. Therefore, both versions must be kept in stock, resulting in an excessive waste of material and space.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a supporting frame that is able to group the components of interlocked sockets in a single assembly, that can be used indifferently both in casings of insulating material and in casings of metallic material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a supporting frame for components of interlocked sockets that is both economical and simple to make.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a supporting frame for components of interlocked sockets that allows easy connection of the cables of the electrical system to the components of the interlocked socket.

These objects are achieved according to the invention with the characteristics listed in appended independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims.

The invention consists in a supporting frame that allows assembly of the various components (switch, protections, socket, interlock mechanism) of an interlocked socket and the relative electrical connecting cables, forming a separate functional unit, to be completed only with the casing which, according to requirements, can be of insulating or metallic material.

The support according to the invention holds the advantage of decreasing warehouse management costs. In fact, said support with the components mounted on it can be kept in stock without the need to immobilize in the warehouse large quantities of finished products with containing casings of insulating or metallic material. Thus according to market demand, the support can be installed in a containing casing of insulating or metallic material.

Another advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the supporting frame can be partially removed and tipped up with respect to the basic housing, thus simplifying connection of the electrical cables to the components of the interlocked socket.

Further characteristics of the invention will be made clearer by the detailed description that follows, referring to a purely exemplary and therefore non-limiting embodiment thereof, illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an interlocked socket, in which, shown in an exploded view, are a basic housing, a cover and a supporting frame, according to the invention, on which the components of the socket are mounted; Figure 2 is a perspective, exploded view of the basic housing, the supporting frame according to the invention and the elements for assembly of the supporting frame ; Figure 3 is a perspective view, showing the cover of the interlocked socket of Figure 1 in an exploded view; Figure 4 is a side elevational view illustrating the supporting frame, according to the invention, mounted on the basic housing and set in a lowered position; Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the supporting frame according to the invention mounted on the basic housing and set in a raised position, in which the electrical cables are connected to a component of the interlocked socket.

The supporting frame for components of interlocked sockets according to the invention is described with the aid of the figures.

Figure 1 shows an interlocked socket denoted as a whole with reference numeral 1004 The interlocked socket 100 comprises an outer casing and a group of electrical components 4 which must be enclosed within the external casing. The group of components is mounted on a supporting frame 5 substantially rectangular in shape.

The outer casing comprises a parallelepiped-shaped basic housing 2 and a cover 3 which can be mounted on the basic housing so as to enclose the group of components 4 mounted on the supporting frame 5. The basic housing 2 and the cover 3 are generally made of insulating plastic material or metallic material such as aluminium for example.

As also shown in Figures 2,4 and 5, the group of components 4 comprises a switch 6 mounted in the rear part of the supporting frame 5, a fuse block 7 mounted in the central part of the supporting frame 5, a socket 8 mounted in the front part of the

supporting frame 5 and an interlocking mechanism 23 mounted in the front part of the frame 5.

The switch 6 is shaped like a parallelepiped box which has in the two side surfaces protruding tongues 11 for assembly on the frame 5. In the rear surface of switch 6 are holes 12 with electrical contacts to receive the strands of the electrical power cables.

On the upper surface of the switch 6 is a hole 13 to receive a coupling pin 10 having a notched head.

Two side shoulders 14 rise upward from the rear part of the supporting frame 5. The inner surface of the side shoulders 14 engages with the protrusions 11 of the switch 6.

Screw-type fixing means 24 can be provided to fix a protruding side tongue 11 of the switch 6 to the supporting frame 5, whilst the other side tongue is fitted into a housing formed in the respective side shoulder.

A crosspiece 15 which supports the fuse block 7 is provided in the central part of the frame 5. The fuse block 7 is shaped like a parallelepiped box in the upper surface of which three seats 16 are formed in which three small covers 17 for receiving the respective fuses are mounted.

A bracket 18 rises upward from the front part of the supporting frame 5. The bracket 18 has a substantially circular flange 19 on which the substantially cylindrical socket 8 is mounted. The socket 8 has in its front face holes 21 to receive the poles of an electric plug.

A support 22 protrudes forward from the frame 5 beneath the flange 19. The support 22 receives the interlocking mechanism 23.

A cam 20 with a coupling pin 25 which goes inside the switch 6 is mounted beneath the supporting frame 5 in the direction of the switch 6. The cam 20 has a cam race 26 that receives a cam follower 27 mounted on a locking lever 28. The locking lever 28 has in a central position a seat 29 which is hinged in the lower wall of the supporting frame 5. The locking lever 28 has in the end opposite the cam follower 27 a tooth 50 which operates the interlocking mechanism 23.

The supporting frame 5 has in its front part a pair of opposing pins 30 which protrude laterally. The pins 30 are designed to engage in respective slots 31 disposed on the inner surface of the side walls of the basic housing 2.

Once the supporting frame 5 with the group of components 4 mounted on it is housed in the basic housing 2, to connect the electrical supply cables, the operator can raise the rear part of the supporting frame 5 which turns around the axis of the pins 21, so that the seats 12 of the switch 6 are raised with respect to the rear part of the basic housing 5.

The rear wall of the basic housing 2 has a through hole 32 which allows the passage of a sheath 33 which encloses a group of electrical supply cables 34. In this manner the strands of the electrical supply cables 34 are inserted and fixed in the seats 12 of the switch 6 and, once this operation is completed, the rear part of the supporting frame 5 is lowered, so that the frame is perfectly housed inside the basic housing 2.

At this point the cover 3 can be mounted on the basic housing 2. The supporting frame 10 is held in the correct position without using screws, thanks to the locating parts of the frame which come to rest on the cover 3. As shown in Figure 3, a seal 35 is interposed between the basic housing 2 and the cover 3. The cover 3 has a substantially cylindrical hollow part 36 which protrudes forward therefrom. The cylindrical part 36 of the cover is designed to receive the socket 8 and is covered by a cap 38 (Figure 1) hinged thereon.

A cylindrical seat 39 designed to receive a knob 40 which can be operated by the operator to turn the switch on/off is provided in the rear part of the cover 3. The knob has a locking device 41 which engages with the head 10 of the switch 6 to operate it.

A seal 42 is interposed between the knob 40 and the seat 39.

A square seat 43 which makes the poles 17 of the fuse block 7 accessible to the operator is provided in the upper central part of the cover 3. A door 44 to close said square seat 43 is mounted above said seat and a seal 45 is interposed between the seat 43 and the door 44.

Numerous variations and modifications of detail known to a person skilled in the art can be made to the present embodiment of the invention, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention set forth by the appended claims.

In the appended claims the reference numbers have been used purely for illustration/clarification and no scope limitation is intended thereby.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A supporting frame (5) for components (4) of interlocking sockets (100), characterized in that it has engagement means (14,15, 19,22) for fixing of said components (4) and is designed to be housed inside a containing casing (2,3) of an interlocked socket.
2. A supporting frame according to claim 1, characterized in that it is substantially rectangular in shape so that it can be accommodated inside a basic housing (2) of said casing of said interlocked socket.
3. A supporting frame according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises engagement means (30) able to engage with mutual engagement means (31) provided in said basic housing (2).
4. A supporting frame according to claim 3, characterized in that said engagement means provided in said supporting frame (5) are a pair of pins (30) mounted at the front in side walls thereof and said reciprocal engagement means provided in said basic housing (2) are a pair of slots (31) provided in the inner surface of the front part of the side walls of the basic housing.
5. A supporting frame according to any one of the preceding claims, for use with components (4) intended to be fixed on said supporting frame comprising a substantially cylindrical socket (8), characterized in that said supporting frame comprises a bracket (18) protruding substantially upward from the front part thereof, said bracket supporting a substantially circular flange (19) to which said socket (8) is fixed.
6. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims, for use with components (4) intended to be fixed on said supporting frame comprising a switch (6), characterized in that said supporting frame comprises in the rear part a pair of side shoulders (14) that protrude upward to engage with protruding side tongues (11) of said switch (6).

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7. A supporting frame according to any one of the preceding claims, for use with components (4) intended to be fixed on said supporting frame, comprising a fuse block (7), characterized in that said supporting frame (5) comprises a crosspiece (15) disposed in a central position for fixing of said fuse block (7).
8. A supporting frame according to any one of the preceding claims, for use with components (4) intended to be fixed on said supporting frame comprising an interlocking device (23) characterized in that said supporting frame (5) comprises a support (22) that protrudes forward from the front part thereof to support the interlocking device (23).
9. An interlocked socket (100) comprising a containing casing inside which is contained a group of electric components (4) supported by a supporting frame (5) according to any one of the preceding claims.
10. An interlocked socket (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that said containing casing comprises a substantially parallelepiped shaped basic housing (2) and a cover (3).
11. An interlocked socket (100) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said components (4) intended to be fixed on said supporting frame comprise a substantially cylindrical socket (8) and said supporting frame comprises a bracket (18) protruding substantially upward from front part thereof, said bracket supporting a substantially circular flange (19) to which said socket (8) is fixed.
12. An interlocked socket (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that said components (4) comprise a switch (6) and that said supporting frame, in its rear part, comprises a pair of side shoulders (14) which protrude upwards to engage with the protruding side tongues (11) of said switch (6).
13. An interlocked socket (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that said components (4) comprise a fuse block (7) and said supporting frame (5) comprises a crosspiece (15) disposed in a central position for fixing of said fuse block (7).

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14. An interlocked socket (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterised in that said components (4) comprise an interlocking device (23) and that said supporting frame (5) comprises a support (22) which protrudes forward from the front part thereof to support the interlocking device (23).
15. An interlocked socket (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that said containing casing is made of insulating plastic material.
16. An interlocked socket (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized

in that said containing casing is made of metallic material.
17. A support frame and/or an interlocked electric socket according to any preceding claim substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

17. A sçrting bue and/or a socket according to any piEoeding claim substantially as herein described with referoTce to and as shnMt in the aapanving ckcMiLngs.

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Amended claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS 1. A support frame for use in an interlocked electric socket, comprising: a base providing a mounting for electrical components including a switch, a socket and an interlock mechanism of the interlocked electric socket, first engagement means for engaging the switch, second engagement means for engaging the socket, and third engagement means for engaging the interlock mechanism, the first, second and third engaging means being adapted fixedly to secure the switch, the socket and the interlock mechanism to the base, and means for locating the base within a casing of an interlocked electric socket, the locating means comprising a co-operative surface adapted releasably and adjustably to engage a corresponding surface within the casing of the interlocked electric socket.

2. A support frame according to claim 1, characterised in that the base is substantially rectangular in shape for accommodation inside the casing of said interlocked socket.

3. A support frame according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the locating means comprise further engagement means engageable with mutual engagement means provided in said casing.

4. A support frame according to claim 3, characterised in that said further engagement means comprise a pair of pins projecting from side walls at a front

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of the base for engagement within a pair of slots provided in an inner surface of a front part of side walls of said casing.

5. A support frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said second engagement means comprise a bracket protruding substantially upward from a front part of the base and a substantially circular flange mounted on the bracket for receiving a substantially cylindrical socket.

6. A support frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first engagement means comprise a pair of side shoulders that protrude upward from a rear part of the base for engagement with protruding side tongues of said switch.

7. A support frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said base further comprises a crosspiece disposed in a central position for fixing a fuse block to said support frame.

8. A support frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said third engagement means comprise a support that protrudes forward from a front part of the base to support the interlock mechanism.

9. An interlocked electric socket comprising a support frame according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. An interlocked electric socket comprising: a casing,

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electrical components including a switch and a socket received within the casing, the switch having an'off'position and an'on'position, and an interlock mechanism arranged to co-operate with the switch and the socket so as to ensure firstly that a plug is receivable within the socket only when the switch is in the'off'position and secondly that the switch is switchable to the'on'position only when a plug is received within the socket, and characterised by a support frame removably received within the casing, the support frame having respective fixing means for fixedly engaging each of the electrical components, and the electrical components being carried by the support frame within the casing.

11. An interlocked socket according to claim 10, characterised in that said casing comprises a substantially parallelepiped shaped housing and a cover.

12. An interlocked socket according to claim 10 or claim 11, characterised in that said socket is substantially cylindrical and said support frame comprises a bracket protruding substantially upward from a front part of a base thereof, said bracket supporting a substantially circular flange in which said socket is received.

13. An interlocked socket according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that said support frame comprises a pair of side shoulders which protrude upward from a rear part of the or a base thereof and engage with protruding side tongues of said switch.

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14. An interlocked socket according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that said components further comprise a fuse block and said support frame comprises a crosspiece disposed in a central position of the or a base thereof for fixing of said fuse block.

15. An interlocked socket according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterised in that said support frame comprises a support which protrudes from a front part of the or a base thereof to support the interlock mechanism.

16. An interlocked socket according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterised in that said casing is made of one of: an insulating plastic or a metallic material.