EP2151023A2

EP2151023A2 - Electrical supply distribution system

Info

Publication number: EP2151023A2
Application number: EP08737548A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ole Steensen
Original assignee: Lesscord Aps
Current assignee: Lesscord Aps
Priority date: 2007-04-25
Filing date: 2008-04-25
Publication date: 2010-02-10
Also published as: WO2008132593A3; WO2008132593A2

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical supply distribution system comprising: at least one longitudinal extending panel (PA) having a plurality of embedded electrical conductors (EC), and at least one socket part (SP) for releasable attachment to said at least one panel (PA) and having a socket (SO) for connecting to an external plug and a connecting part (CP) with connectors (CO) for establishing connection between said plurality of electrical conductors (EC) and said socket (SO) when attached to the panel (PA) and a back leg part (BLP), wherein the panel (PA) along at least a part of its longitudinal extent has an opening (OP) for insertion of the back leg part (BLP) of said at least one socket part (SP) at any longitudinal position of the opening (OP), for establishment of a connection between the plurality of said electrical conductors (EC) of said panel (PA) and said connecting part (CP) arranged on the back leg part (BLP) of said at least one socket part (SP).

Description

ELECTRICAL SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an electrical supply distribution system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today, several types of panels with embedded or attached electrical conductors are known which make it possible to attach a socket for a plug to provide an electrical outlet at a chosen position along the extent of the panel.

International patent application WO 87/01524 describes an electrical rail supply system with a skirting board with power and signal supply rails for insertion of sockets. Several other examples exist on mounting sockets, plugs or branching devices on panels or tracks by insertion of the plug into a track channel and twisting e.g. through 90 degrees. Examples of such devices may be found in U.S. patent specification no. 4,217,018. Another known prior art variation of a panel can be found in international patent application WO 01/56127 which describes a molding with a recess on the back for insertion of a so-called connection box to which a socket may be attached.

The conventional function of a skirting board is to cover the inevitable unevenness between the flooring and the wall and to protect the wall from being damaged due to collision with feet, furniture and different floor cleaning devices being pushed right against the wall, and the panel and its detachable sockets are at an exposed position and may easily become injured.

There is a need for a more stable electrical supply distribution system. It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe and stable electrical supply distribution system which is more robust to external action and impact. THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an electrical supply distribution system comprising:

at least one longitudinal extending panel having a plurality of embedded electrical conductors, and

at least one socket part for releasable attachment to said at least one panel and having a socket for connecting to an external plug, a connecting part with connectors for establishing connection between said plurality of electrical conductors and said socket when attached to the panel, and a back leg part,

wherein the panel along at least a part of its longitudinal extent has an opening for insertion of the back leg part of said at least one socket part at any longitudinal position of the opening, for establishment of a connection between the plurality of said electrical conductors of said panel and said connecting part arranged on the back leg part of said at least one socket part.

The term recess in accordance with the present invention is to be understood as a notch, cut-out section or any other differentiation in the width of the panel as seen in cross section.

Evidently, it is within the scope of the invention to obtain the temporarily securing of the socket part to the panel by means of having a protrusion in the panel and a recess in the socket part, thereby obtaining the same advantageous effect.

Together the recess and the protrusion provide a very stable and secure holding action when the socket part is attached to the panel, thereby solving the problem related to prior art, namely that sockets may brake or fall off due to strikes from e.g. shoes, furniture or cleaning devices such as vacuum cleaners or brooms. In an embodiment of the invention the extent of the opening constitutes at least 45%, preferably at least 75% and most preferably 90% of the overall longitudinal extend of the panel.

The overall longitudinal extend of the panel is to be understood to be the length of a panel as produced and distributed, alternatively as the total length of electrically connected panels e.g. all around the four walls of a room.

In an embodiment of the invention the at least one panel comprises at least one longitudinal extending recess,

the at least one socket part comprising a front leg part extending substantially parallel to the back leg part, the front leg part having a protrusion part,

the socket part being resiliently deformable so as to allow for manual attaching to the panel by slipping the socket part over said panel in such a manner that the protrusion part of the socket part is accommodated in said recess of said panel, thereby temporarily securing said socket part to said panel.

In an embodiment of the invention, said electrical supply distribution system furthermore comprises at least one assembly part for assembly of two independent panels.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the system comprises assembly parts by which two independent panels may be assembled. These assembly parts ensure that the electrical conductors are redirected to e.g. another panel. The two independent panel parts to be assembled may be of different designs and for different purposes, e.g. a skirting board may be assembled with a door frame by means of the assembly part. In an embodiment of the invention, said assembly part is a corner assembly part for connection of two independent panels in relation to a corner.

It is very advantageous that the system, according to an embodiment of the invention, comprises corner assembly parts which make it possible to utilize the system elsewhere than in relation to a straight wall. This may e.g. be in a room or along the side and back wall of a kitchen table as well as a door frame or another entrance to a room.

It is a very advantageous feature, according to an embodiment of the invention, that the electrical conductors may provide different signals. It is hereby possible to avoid that several conductors, e.g. wires must be enchased into a wall or ground and the need for multi-wire sockets is minimized.

In an embodiment of the invention, the transition between the end part and the neighboring part of the panel is rounded and the front leg part of the socket part is rounded correspondingly, thereby facilitating attachment and detachment of the socket part and the panel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the socket of the at least one socket part is arranged in the section of the front leg part which delimits the throat part of the U- shaped opening.

The socket has a minimum extension in the direction away from the panel into the room in order to be able to accommodate the pins of the external plug. By arranging the socket in the front leg part so that the back part of the socket extends into the slimmer part of the panel below the end part at the upper end, the overall maximum thickness of the assembled panel and socket is minimized so that the sockets extends as little as possible out from the panel as shown in the examples in the accompanying figures. Moreover the invention relates to an electrical supply distribution system comprising:

wherein the panel along at least a part of its longitudinal extent has an opening for insertion of the back leg part of said at least one socket part at any longitudinal position of the opening, for establishment of a connection between the plurality of said electrical conductors of said panel and said connecting part arranged on the back leg part of said at least one socket part, and

wherein the panel comprising a longitudinal extending recess for temporarily sustaining said socket part, and

In accordance with the present invention, the electrical conductors may be located inside the panel thereby preventing persons from getting electrical shocks when touching the panel. It is a very advantageous feature, according to an embodiment of the invention, that the electrical conductors are hidden inside the panel ensuring that the electrical assembly of the socket part to the electrical conductors takes place where it cannot be reached by e.g. children fingers.

In a further aspect of the invention, the electrical supply distribution system may be able to supply an array of different electrical signals such as power signals, telephone signals, internet signals, ..., etc.

In an embodiment of the invention, the extent of the opening constitutes at least 45%, preferably at least 75% and most preferably 90% of the overall longitudinal extend of the panel. In an embodiment of the invention, the panel comprises one or more cover parts for covering said opening when not in use.

Hereby it is further prevented that persons, in particular children, may put conducting devices, e.g. knitting needles into the opening when the opening is not in use or covered by a socket part. Furthermore, the cover part may prevent water or moisture from dripping into the panel opening OP, which may result in a short-circuiting.

In an embodiment of the invention, the panel comprising a longitudinal extending recess for temporarily sustains said socket part.

In an embodiment of the invention, said panel has a detachable covering part which may be detached, remounted and replaced.

In an embodiment of the invention, said panel comprises a cable space.

In an embodiment of the invention, said panel is functioning as a skirting board covering the lowest part of a wall or other room separating elements such as a division, a partition wall, a room divider or the like.

Alternatively, the panel may be a door frame unit, back panel of a kitchen table, a cover strip, ..., etc.

This may be advantageous in that the panel with an attached socket part will not leave an open down-facing gap thereby preventing a possible unhygienic dirt and dust collecting place.

Moreover, the invention relates to the panel itself as well as to a socket part for attachment to a panel comprising: a socket for connecting to an external plug, connectors for establishing connection between electrical conductors of a panel and said socket when attached to the panel, a back leg part and a front leg part extending substantially parallel, forming there between a generally U-shaped opening as seen in cross-section.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention a socket part is constructed to easily fit into the panel with out the need of any tool allowing the end user with no skills in the art to remove or replace a socket part from a panel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the front leg part having a protrusion part for securing the socket part into a recess of a panel, and wherein said generally U-shaped opening has a bottom part and a neighboring throat part, wherein said neighboring throat part having a smaller opening between the front leg part and the back leg part than said bottom part.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the socket part is constructed with a "spring effect" so when the socket part is introduced to the panel the front leg part bends slightly outwards from the panel until the protrusion part of the socket part fits the recess of the panel. Then the socket part would reshape because of the "spring effect" into the original shape of the socket part as before the socket part was introduced to the panel.

In an embodiment of the invention, said socket part, when attached to said panel, is located above said panel.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the socket part is placed on top of the panel to minimize the total distance the socket part and the panel is protrude from the wall. In an embodiment of the invention, the socket of the at least one socket part is arranged in the section of the front leg part which delimits the throat part of the U- shaped opening.

In an embodiment of the invention, said socket is formed as a female socket according to a UK standard, US standard, EU standard or any other electrical standards.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, socket parts fulfilling requirements to different standards may be attached to the same panel. This may be very advantageous e.g. when a person is buying an electrical apparatus in a part of the world, having another electric standard than the standard of the persons homeland. Instead of inserting an adapter between the electrical apparatus and the socket part it is possible to just use a socket part adapted to the same electrical standard as the electrical apparatus.

In an embodiment of the invention, said socket is adapted for telecommunication, data communication or any other type of communication transmitted by means of cables.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the same panel may provide signals not only for 230V or 400V plugs. It may also be possible to connect socket parts adapted to e.g. TV, telephone, data or all other signals which may be feed through the panel to which the socket part is connected.

Furthermore, the invention relates to an electrical supply distribution system comprising: at least one longitudinal extending panel having a plurality of embedded electrical conductors, and

at least one socket part for attachment to said at least one panel and having a socket for connecting to an external plug and a connecting part with connectors for establishing connection between said plurality of electrical conductors and said socket when attached to the panel,

characterized in that

the connectors of each socket part are resiliently deformable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the panel and perpendicular to a direction in which the socket part is displaced with respect to the panel when being attached to said panel, and

the panel comprises means for providing a deformation of said connectors when the socket part is attached to the panel, so that the connectors are resiliently biased into connection with the corresponding electrical conductors of the panel.

The above described connection mechanism is very advantageous in that it prevents the socket part from being accidentally removed from engagement with the panel. The socket part may thus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention only be removed when a release button on the socket part is activated. It is a very advantageous feature according to the invention, that the conductors of the panel is formed without moving or deformable parts in contrast to most known products, where the female part normally carries the deformable conductors that are resiliently biased against the male counterpart of the connection. Thus, the present solution enables the production of the panel by means of extrusion, where conductors are integrated in the panel in the extrusion process itself. Thus, the production costs of panels according to the invention are limited. In an embodiment of the invention, the distance between the electrical conductors in the panel is at least 3 millimeters.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the electrical conductors in the panel have to be separated to avoid or at least reduce the risk of short circuit between the electrical conductors.

In an embodiment of the invention, the connection between the electrical conductor carrying the earth potential in the panel and the electrical conductor carrying the earth potential in the socket part is the first connection to be established when attaching the socket part to the panel and the last connection to be reestablish when releasing the socket part from the panel.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a connection between the socket part and the electrical conductor carrying the earth potential in the panel is the first connection to be made. This is very advantageous if an error occurs and in the socket part. Thereby a user connecting a defect socket part to the panel, is protected from leading an error current into earth, because an error current would take the connection to earth with the smallest electrical resistance, which would be the electrical conductor carrying the earth potential in the panel.

In the same way a user is protected when disconnecting the socket part from the panel, because the connection between the socket part and the electrical conductor carrying the earth potential in the panel is the last connection to be disconnected.

In an embodiment of the invention the electrical supply distribution system comprises a socket part (SP) for releasable connection with the panel (PA) of said electrical supply distribution system. In an embodiment of the invention the electrical supply distribution system comprises a panel (PA) for establishment of a connection between the plurality of electrical conductors (EC) of said panel (PA) and a connecting part (CP) arranged on the back leg part (BLP) of said socket part (SP).

THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in the following with reference to the figures in which

figure Ia illustrates a panel according to an embodiment of the invention as seen in cross section,

figure Ib illustrates a panel according to an embodiment of the invention in a perspective view,

figure 2a illustrates a socket part according to an embodiment of the invention as seen in cross section,

figure 2b illustrates a socket part according to an embodiment of the invention in a perspective view,

figure 3a illustrates a socket part being attached to the panel as seen in cross-section,

figure 3b illustrates a socket part being attached to the panel in a perspective view,

figure 4 illustrates an example of connectors being encapsulated in the socket part,

figure 5 illustrates a panel having a plurality of embedded electrical conductors according to an embodiment of the invention,

figure 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate the steps of attaching a socket part to a panel.

figure 7 illustrates a panel PA according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, figure 8 illustrates a panel according to an embodiment of the invention,

figure 9 illustrates a socket part SP according to an embodiment of the invention,

figure 10 illustrates a socket part being attached to a panel,

figure 11a, l ib and l ie illustrate a connection mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention,

figure 12 illustrates an example of the socket part SP in a perspective view,

figure 13 illustrates an example of a socket part SP being attached to a panel PA in a perspective view,

figure 14a and 14b illustrates a principle sketch of the steps of attaching a socket part to a panel in an alternative embodiment of the invention,

figure 15 illustrates a principle sketch of an alternative embodiment of the invention where the socket part being attached to a panel in a perspective view,

figure 16 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention from a side view,

figure 17 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention from a front view, and

figure 18 illustrates a front view of a socket part attached to and located above the panel.

The enclosed figures are provided for illustration of aspects of the present invention and are not limiting the scope of protection defined by the appended set of claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. Ia illustrates a panel PA according to an embodiment of the invention as seen in cross-section. The illustrated panel is not understood as limiting and may therefore have other forms according to other embodiments of the invention. Thus, the particular examples illustrated in the below described figures may be designed in a multitude of varieties within the scope of the invention. The illustrated panel PA comprises an end part EP at an upper end of the cross-section, a neighboring part NP further away from the upper end UE and an opening OP. The panel has a generally uniform cross-section which may at one end part EP be substantially wider than at a neighboring part of the cross-section, the end part being positioned in a shorter distance from an upper end of the cross-section than the neighboring part, thereby forming a longitudinal extending recess R. The panel PA may be used as a base or skirting board for covering the lowest part of an interior wall, a room separating element such as a division, a partition wall, a room divider or the like. Alternatively, the panel PA may be other exterior or preferable interior devices such as a door frame unit, back panel of a kitchen table, a cover strip, ... , etc.

The panel PA is manufactured in a solid material such as wood, metal, glass fiber, plywood, plastic material, etc. or alternatively in a flexible material such as plastic material, rubber, fabric, PVC, etc. and is preferably extruded in a plastic material which provides for the less expensive production.

In an embodiment of the invention where the panel PA e.g. is extruded in plastic material it is possible to manufacture the panel PA so that it appears that the panel is made of e.g. wood, quarry tile etc.

The panel PA may be extruded in different modules with different length and it may be possible to shorten the panel PA e.g. by means of a saw. The panel PA may be finished with a plate (not shown) to protect electrical conductors inside the panel against filth and to protect a person from getting in physical contact with the electrical conductors inside the panel PA. The panel PA may according to an embodiment of the invention have an opening OP for vertical insertion of the back leg part BLP of the socket part SP which will be described in more detail with reference to fig. 3a and 3b. The opening may according to an embodiment of the invention be temporarily closed by means of a shielding cover part which may close by means of a different possible closing arrangements within the scope of the invention, e.g. a hinged door with a spring lock, a sliding door, a door or flange fabricated in rubber or another flexible material, entailing that the opening OP may be closed whenever a socket part SP is not in the panel PA, which otherwise could have caused a full accessible and open opening OP. This closing arrangement may be of great importance in that the opening may be of great danger to persons, for avoiding e.g. children to get an electrical shock when e.g. putting electrical conducting devices into the opening for example knitting needles or the like. The opening OP will typically be related to an upper end UE of the panel PA.

Furthermore, the panel comprises a number of longitudinal electrical conductors EC providing electricity, internet signal, telephone signal or other signals. This will be described in more detail with reference to figure 5.

The opening OP may in accordance to an embodiment of the invention be subdivided into a plurality of openings, each for insertion of a socket part SP.

The panel PA has a longitudinal extending recess R on the front side at the neighboring part NP facilitating the advantageous attachment of a socket part SP according to the invention. The illustrated recess is rounded but in other embodiments of the invention the recess may be any other form e.g. square, pentagonal, serrated, ..., etc. The term recess in accordance with the present invention is understood as a notch, cut-out section or any other differentiation in the width of the panel as seen in cross section.

Figure Ib is a perspective view of the panel PA of figure Ia.

In an embodiment of the invention a base shoe (not shown) for attaching to the panel PA is provided. By attach a base shoe to the panel PA, the panel PA may appear more like known skirting boards.

Figure 2a illustrates a socket part SP according to an embodiment of the invention. The socket part SP comprises a connecting part CP, a back leg part BLP, a front leg part FLP and a socket SO for receiving an external electric plug, and defines between the back leg part and the front leg part an opening with a bottom part BP.

The socket furthermore comprises a connecting part CP which according to an embodiment of the invention may be located in relation to the back leg part BLP for establishment of a connection to the electrical conductors EC of the panel PA. This is explained in more detail with reference to figure 3a and 4.

The socket part furthermore comprises connectors CO which may establish a connection between the socket SO and the connecting part CP.

The socket SO may be a power socket, i.e. typically a female electrical connector that may have slots or holes which accept the pins or blades from power plugs inserted into them and deliver electricity to the plugs. The socket may have a slot for connection to earth or ground or neutral. Sockets SO may be designed to reject any plug which is not constructed according to the same electrical standard.

The front leg part FLP forms together with the back leg part BLP a U-shape with a bottom part BP and a neighboring throat part TP having a smaller opening between the two legs BLP, FLP than bottom part BP, thereby forming a protrusion part PP which may fit into the recess R of the panel PA. The throat part may have a substantially smaller width than the width of the end part EP of the panel PA. According to some embodiments of the invention, the socket SO may be a socket for connection of a data cable, e.g. an Ethernet socket or the socket may be a connector for receipt and transmittal of wireless data signals, e.g. an infrared communication device or a Bluetooth communication device. In another embodiment of the invention, the socket SO may comprise a telephone signal socket.

The socket may be utilized for insertion of a plug for supply of power or other signals. For example a plug connected to a television may be plugged into the socket SO, entailing that the television is power supplied when the socket part SP is attached correctly to the panel PA, as illustrated with reference to figure 3a and 3b.

Evidently, the socket may be any combination of the above-mentioned, e.g. a socket with one or several power sockets, one or several data signal sockets and one or several telephone signal sockets.

The socket SO may be secured in a way so that if the socket for example comprises two holes for connecting of a plug with two pins, it may not be possible to penetrate the only one hole of the socket SO. Only if a two-pin plug in inserted, so that the two holes of the socket SO are penetrated simultaneously, it is possible to push the plug into the socket SO.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the socket may have a power switch or circuit-breaker which makes it possible to interrupt the connection between the socket SO and the connectors CO of the socket part SP. Moreover, a socket may comprise a light dimmer device. Figure 2b is a perspective view of the socket part SP as illustrated with reference in figure 2a. The socket part SP, socket SO and the connecting part CP are marked in the figure.

Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a socket part SP being attached to the panel PA as seen in cross-sections and in a perspective view, respectively. The figure illustrates the socket part SP, the panel PA and electrical conductors EC.

The socket part SP has according to an embodiment of the invention a very advantageous elaboration. The socket part SP may be attached to a panel PA and thereby establish an electrical connection between the socket SO and the electrical conductors EC of the panel PA.

The socket part SP may be attached to the panel PA in a very advantageous and simple way in accordance with an important aspect of the invention. The simple attachment between the socket part SP and the panel PA allows the end-user to easily change the location of the socket part SP at the panel PA, without the risk of electrical shock and without the use of any tool.

The back leg part BLP may be inserted into the opening OP of the panel PA for anchoring the socket part SP on the panel PA. The socket part SP is resiliently deformable entailing that the socket part SP may be attached manually to the panel by means of simply pushing or slipping the socket part SP over the upper end of the panel. The socket part SP is temporarily resiliently deformed when attaching it to the panel PA to make the throat part substantially wider than the width of the end part EP of the panel, thereby allowing for moving the throat part TP of the socket part SP in downward direction over the end part EP of the panel PA. When pushing the socket part SP in downwards direction on the panel PA, the socket part SP may slip into place, i.e. be in a fixed position with the protrusion part PP fitting into the recess R, hereby establishing a connection, e.g. an electrical mains connection to the socket part SP.

The back leg part BLP of the socket part SP may according to an embodiment of the invention slip down into the opening OP of the panel when attaching the socket part SP to the panel PA. In another embodiment of the invention, the back leg part BLP may be pressed down on the back side of the panel, i.e. between the wall and the panel PA when attaching the socket part SP to the panel PA.

It is very advantageous that the socket SO may be attached on the panel PA by means of fitting of a part (a protrusion part) of the socket SO into a recess R of the panel PA. A problem in relation to prior art is that a panel when functioning as a skirting board is typically positioned in a vulnerable position due to possible strikes by shoes or furniture. This makes it a challenge to provide a skirting board with electrical connection with attachable sockets that are fixed to the skirting board or panel without the sockets breaking or falling off the board due to strikes from e.g. shoes or furniture. This problem is solved by the provision of the present invention which presents an advantageous fastening arrangement which secures a socket part SP when attached to a panel both in horizontal and vertical direction. This is illustrated in more detail with reference to figure 6.

The figure furthermore illustrates the connecting part CP of the socket part SP. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the connecting part CP is located in the end of the back leg part BLP of the socket part SP forming a U-shape that grabs the electrical conductors EC of the panel PA. In other embodiments of the invention, the connecting part CP is located elsewhere in relation to the socket part SP, e.g. on the back side of the back leg part BLP, on the back of the socket SO i.e. in the throat part of the socket part SP. This will evidently entail that the electrical conductors are positioned correspondingly so that the connecting part may obtain a connection when attaching a socket part SP to the panel PA. The connecting part CP may in a preferred embodiment of the invention be located in relation to the end of the back leg part BLP as illustrated in the figure 3 a. It is a very advantageous feature according to an embodiment of the invention that the connecting part CP is located in relation to the end of the back leg part BLP in that the connection to electrical conductors is established while the back leg part BLP is encapsulated in the opening OP of the panel PA, thereby avoiding that persons attaching the socket parts SP to the panel PA gets an electrical shock by touching the electrical conductors EC or the connecting part CP.

The socket part SP furthermore comprises a number of conductors which may be encapsulated in the socket part SP. This is explained in more detail with reference to figure 4.

Figure 3b illustrates the socket part SP being attached to the panel PA. This figure illustrates the same elements as explained with reference to fig. 3a.

Figure 4 illustrates an example of the connectors CO being encapsulated in the socket part SP according to an embodiment of the invention.

The connectors create a connection between the slots or holes in the socket SO and the connecting part CP which is not illustrated in this figure. The connectors illustrated in this figure are only to be understood as examples whereas the shape and location may be different. The connectors may be conductive racks, wires or the like.

The connectors may in accordance with other embodiments of the invention be located on the back side or front side of the back leg part BLP of the socket part SP. In another embodiment of the invention, where the connecting part CP is located on the back side if the socket SO, the connectors may exist only as a substantially horizontal conducting material leading the electrical signal from the socket holes to the connecting part CP. The design of the socket part (SP) may be adjusted to comply with different standards of external plugs used e.g. in the US, DE, DK, other EU countries and other not mentioned countries.

Figure 5 illustrates a panel PA according to an embodiment of the invention. In the figure a panel PA with plurality of embedded electrical conductors EC is illustrated. The plurality of electrical conductors may according to an embodiment of the invention be embedded inside the lower part of the panel PA as illustrated.

The number of electrical conductors may be any appropriate number, e.g. three as illustrated, but another number of electrical conductors EC may also be applied within the scope of the invention. The electrical conductors may provide power signals, data signals (e.g. internet), telephone signal, ..., etc, or any combination thereof.

Figure 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate the principles of attaching a socket part SP to a panel PA as seen in cross section, according to an embodiment of the invention.

In figure 6a it is illustrated how the socket part SP is located in a vertical position above the panel. Figure 6b illustrates how the socket part SP may be resiliently deformable to slip the socket part SP over the end part of the panel PA to make the socket part come down in place in a locked position as illustrated in figure 6c where the protrusion part PP of the socket part is fitted into the recess of the panel PA. The back leg part BLP of the socket part SP is fitted into the opening OP. The position illustrated in figure 6c is a very stable and stationary position of a socket part SP according to an embodiment of the invention and is very advantageous in that it is very hard to kick or pull the socket off the panel unintended. However, if a person intended wishes to remove the socket part SP from the panel PA, he or she may easily do so by means of pulling the socket part in a horizontal direction to loosen the socket part SP and simultaneously or subsequently pull the socket part vertically upwards.

Figure 7 illustrates a panel PA according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. The figure illustrates another example of a recess R within the scope of the invention. The recess R is thus understood as a part of the panel being narrower than another part or other parts of the panel as seen in cross section

Figure 8 illustrates a panel according to an embodiment of the invention as seen in cross section. The figure illustrates another example of a shape of the panel within the scope of the invention. The panel PA may comprise an opening OP for insertion of a socket part SP and electrical connectors EC, typically an electrical phase connector EPC, an electrical null connector ENC and an electrical ground connector EGC. The panel furthermore comprises a recess R which secures a stable fixing of a socket part SP to the panel PA as illustrated with reference to fig. 10. The panel may in accordance with an embodiment of the invention moreover comprise a cabling space CS wherein it is possible to run different cables which may be utilized at any position of the panel PA to supply power to the socket parts SP. The cables in the cabling space may e.g. be telephone cables, data communication cables, additional electrical power cables, etc. The panel may furthermore comprise a detachable cover part DCP which may be detached and replaced. This feature makes it possible to change the front part DCP of the panel if for example another design or color is desired. The recess may as illustrated in this figure be a part the detachable cover part, but it may alternatively be a part of the panel itself.

In another embodiment of the invention the detachable cover part DCP is made of e.g. a film, paper, plastic or the like, so that the panel PA appears to be made of e.g. wood, quarry tile, part of the wall, part of the floor etc.. Figure 9 illustrates a socket part SP according to an embodiment of the invention. The illustrated socket part SP is another example of the design of a socket part within the scope of the invention. The socket part comprises a back leg part BLP and a front leg part FLP. The socket part SP comprises a connecting part CP which is located in the end of the back leg part BLP of the socket part SP for establishing a connection to the electrical conductors EC of the panel PA. The socket part SP furthermore comprises a release button RB which may release the connecting part from the electrical conductors when affected, e.g. by means of a push. The socket part SP may moreover comprise a power switch PS which makes it possible to interrupt the connection between the socket SO and the connectors CO of the socket part SP, i.e. to interrupt the connection between the connecting part CP of the socket part SP and the electrical conductors EC of the panel PA.

Figure 10 illustrates a socket part SP being attached to a panel PA as seen in cross- section. An electrical connection between the electrical conductors EC and the connecting part CP is established. The socket part SP may be attached to the panel PA in a very advantageous and simple way in accordance with an important aspect of the invention. The socket part SP is resiliently deformable and may be manually attached to the panel PA by means of inserting the back leg part BLP of the socket part SP into the opening OP of the panel PA and slipping the front leg part FLP of the socket part SP over the panel PA in such a manner that the protrusion part PP of the socket part SP is accommodated in the recess R of the panel PA. This provides a stable and safe temporary securing of the socket part SP to the panel PA.

Figure l la, l ib and 1 Ic illustrate an advantageous connection mechanism between the panel connecting part PCP of the panel PA and the socket connecting part SCP of the socket part SP. The socket connecting part SPC has three connector parts, a top connector part TCP, a left connector part LCP and a right connector part RCP, corresponding to the electrical conductors of the panel connecting part PCP, a left conductor LC, a right conductor RC and a top conductor TC. The top conductor TC is used for providing the ground, whereas the left and the right conductors LC, RC provide the phase and the null, respectively. By arranging the conductors LC, RC, TC in this manner, the risk of short-circuiting the phase and the null by external interference, such as entering of moisture into the panel PA by accident is minimized. Also, the access from the top opening OP of the panel PA to the phase by means of e.g. a knitting needle is hindered, thus providing the required safety of the electrical supply distribution system.

In fig. 1 Ia it is illustrated how the socket part SP is located in a direct vertical position above the panel prior to the connection of the socket connecting part to the panel connecting part when the socket connecting part has entered the interior of the panel PA through the top opening OP. Fig. l ib illustrates how the lower surface of the left connector part LCP and the right connector part RCP are formed with an slope and are resiliently deformable in the outward direction, i.e. to the left and to the right, respectively, to provide for a deformation when moving the socket part SP downwardly. The deformation is ensured by means of a tapered form of the panel connecting part PCP made from an electrically insulating material and corresponding to the sloped shape of the lower surfaces of the left connector part LCP and the right connector part RCP. The tapered form ends with a sharp edge and horizontal surfaces preventing the left connector part LCP and the right connector part RCP from being accidentally removed from engagement with the panel connecting part PCP but only when the previous discussed release button RB is activated. However, in a second embodiment of the present invention, which is not shown, the tapered form ends in an upwardly tapering form and the left connector part LCP and the right connector part RCP are formed correspondingly to allow release of the socket connecting part from the panel connecting part PCP by an upward pull of the socket part.

In fig. 1 Ic it illustrates how the socket connecting part SCP is moved further downwards which makes the left connector part LCP and the right connector part RCP fall into a grab-position as illustrated, where the left connector part LCP is connected to and resiliently biased against the left connector LC, the right connector part RCP is connected and resiliently biased against to the right connector RC and the top connector part TCP is connected to the top connector TC respectively.

By forming the conductors LC, RC, TC of the panel PA without moving or deformable parts in contrast to most known products, where the female part normally carries the deformable conductors that are resiliently biased against the male counterpart of the connection, the present solution enables the production of the panel by means of extrusion, where the conductors LC, RC, TC are integrated in the panel in the extrusion process itself. Thus, the production costs of panels are limited.

Figure 12 illustrates an example of the socket part SP in a perspective view. The power switch PS, the release button RB and the protrusion part PP as described with reference to fig. 9 are illustrated.

Figure 13 illustrates an example of a socket part SP being attached to a panel PA in a perspective view. As illustrated, the protrusion part PP of the socket part SP is accommodated in the recess R of the panel PA.

Figure 14a-b illustrates the principles of attaching a socket part SP to a panel PA seen in cross section view, according to an embodiment of the invention. The principles of the electrically attachment in figure 14a-b are similar to the principles illustrated on figure 6a-c. In the embodiment illustrated on figure 14a-c the socket part SP are, when attached to the panel PA and ready for use, located on top of the panel. This embodiment may e.g. be advantageous when attaching types of socket parts SP requiring a relative large physical design e.g. to comply with different safety standards. Furthermore the panel PA is illustrated in an embodiment without a cable space CS. Figure 15 illustrates an example of a socket part SP described in relation to figure 14a-b being attached to a panel PA in a perspective view.

The embodiment illustrated on figure 14a-b and figure 15 is illustrated without the recess R and without the cabling space CS.

Regarding the recess R, in this embodiment, where the socket part SP is located on top of the panel PA, the recess R is not used in the sustaining of the socket part SP and hence unnecessary. Hence the recess R may or may not be part of panel PA.

Regarding the cabling space CS, in this embodiment, where the socket part SP is located on top of the panel PA, the cabling space CS may be unwanted because the total height of the panel PA and the socket part SP may then seem relative high. Hence the cabling space CS may in an embodiment of the invention be removed to decrease the total height of the panel PA and socket part PA.

Figure 16 illustrates a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the invention where the socket part SP e.g. a Schuko type, is located on top of the panel PA. In this embodiment a sustaining recess SR is illustrated to ad more strength to the construction. When the socket part SP is attached to panel PA the socket part SP interacts with the sustaining recess SR. Hence force and/or torque e.g. from a person unplugging a plug from the socket part SP, is at least partly transferred to the sustaining recess SR instead of the back leg part part BLP of the socket part SP interacts with the electric conductors EC.

The sustaining recess SR and use hereof may be incorporated in every possible embodiments of the invention.

Furthermore figure 16 illustrates an embodiment, with the socket part SP on top of the panel PA, with both a recess R, a cabling space CS and a detectable cover part DCP. In an embodiment of the invention where the socket part SP is located on top of the panel PA, the socket part SP may comprise an extended front leg part (not shown) comprising a protrusion part PP which interacts with the recess R of the panel PA to ad more strength to the connection between panel PA and the socket part SP.

Figure 17 illustrates the part of figure 16 comprising the interaction between the electrical conductors EC and the back leg part BLP of the socket part SP interacts with the electric conductors EC.

In an embodiment of the invention illustrated on figure 17 the distance between the surface of the electrical conductors ECl, EC2 and EC3 in the panel PA is at least 3 millimeters. When the panel is carrying electric power e.g. 230V, there have to be at least two but preferable three electrical conductors EC in the panel, a phase conductor EC3, a neutral conductor EC2 and a earth conductor ECl. The electrical conductor carrying the phase EC3 is located inside the panel, e.g. for safety reasons, so that it is impossible to create a connection between e.g. a finger or a screwdriver entering the panel PA, through the opening OP, and the electrical conductor carrying the phase EC3, unless the panel is smashed.

Further in an embodiment of the invention where the socket part SP is intended for transferring electrical power from the panel PA to e.g. a plug, the earth connection in the socket part SP is constructed so when connecting the socket part SP to the electrical conductors EC 1-3 of the panel PA, the connection between the earth connection in the socket part SP and the earth conductor ECl in the panel PA, is the first connection to be made. Likewise when disconnecting the socket part SP from the panel PA, the socket part SP is constructed so that the earth conductor ECl is the last conductor to be disconnected. Figure 18 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of the invention where the socket part SP e.g. a Schuko type, is located on top of the panel PA.

In the present description various types of socket parts intended to be located e.g. above or in front of the panel is disclosed and illustrated on figure 1-18. Furthermore in the present description various embodiments of the panel has been disclosed and illustrated on figure 1-18. It is the intention of the present invention that it is possible to use all the embodiments and variants disclosed together in any combination.

Claims

1. Electrical supply distribution system comprising:

at least one longitudinal extending panel (PA) having a plurality of embedded electrical conductors (EC), and

at least one socket part (SP) for releasable attachment to said at least one panel (PA) and having a socket (SO) for connecting to an external plug, a connecting part (CP) with connectors (CO) for establishing connection between said plurality of electrical conductors (EC) and said socket when attached to the panel, and a back leg part (BLP),

wherein the panel (PA) along at least a part of its longitudinal extent has an opening (OP) for insertion of the back leg part (BLP) of said at least one socket part (SP) at any longitudinal position of the opening (OP), for establishment of a connection between the plurality of said electrical conductors (EC) of said panel (PA) and said connecting part (CP) arranged on the back leg part (BLP) of said at least one socket part (SP).

2. Electrical supply distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the extent of the opening (OP) constitutes at least 45%, preferably at least 75% and most preferably 90% of the overall longitudinal extend of the panel (PA).

3. Electrical supply distribution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one panel comprises at least one longitudinal extending recess (R),

the at least one socket part comprising a front leg part (FLP) extending substantially parallel to the back leg part (BLP), the front leg part (FLP) having a protrusion part (PP), the socket part (SP) being resiliently deformable so as to allow for manual attaching to the panel (PA) by slipping the socket part (SP) over said panel (PA) in such a manner that the protrusion part (PP) of the socket part (SP) is accommodated in said recess (R) of said panel (PA), thereby temporarily securing said socket part (SP) to said panel (PA).

4. Electrical supply distribution system according to any of the claims 1-3, wherein said electrical supply distribution system furthermore comprises at least one assembly part for assembly of two independent panels (PA).

5. Electrical supply distribution system according to claim 4, wherein said assembly part is a corner assembly part for connection of two independent panels (PA) in relation to a corner.

6. Electrical supply distribution system according to any of the claims 1-5, wherein the transition between the end part (EP) and the neighboring part (NP) of the panel is rounded and the front leg part (FLP) of the socket part (SP) is rounded correspondingly, thereby facilitating attachment and detachment of the socket part (SP) and the panel (PA).

7. A longitudinal extending panel (PA) for an electrical supply distribution system, the panel (PA) having a plurality of embedded electrical conductors (EC) and wherein along at least a part of its longitudinal extent is provided an opening (OP) for insertion of a back leg part (BLP) of a socket part (SP) at any longitudinal position of the opening (OP), for establishment of a connection between the plurality of said electrical conductors (EC) of said panel (PA) and a connecting part (CP) arranged on the back leg part (BLP) of said socket part (SP).

8. A longitudinal extending panel (PA) according to claim 7, wherein the extent of the opening (OP) constitutes at least 45%, preferably at least 75% and most preferably 90% of the overall longitudinal extend of the panel (PA).

9. A longitudinal extending panel (PA) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the panel comprises one or more cover parts for covering said opening (OP) when not in use.

10. A longitudinal extending panel (PA) according to any of the claims 7-9, wherein the panel (PA) comprising a longitudinal extending recess (R) for temporarily sustaining said socket part (SP).

11. A longitudinal extending panel (PA) according to any of claims 7-10, wherein said panel (PA) has a detachable covering part (DCP) which may be detached, remounted and replaced.

12. A longitudinal extending panel (PA) according to any of claims 7-11, wherein the panel (PA) comprises a cable space (CS).

13. A longitudinal extending panel (PA) according to any of the claims 7-12, wherein said panel (PA) forms a skirting board covering the lowest part of a wall.

14. A socket part (SP) for attachment to a panel (PA) comprising:

a socket (SO) for connecting to an external plug, connectors (CO) for establishing connection between electrical conductors (EC) of a panel (PA) and said socket (SO) when attached to the panel (PA), a back leg part (BLP) and a front leg part (FLP) extending substantially parallel, forming there between a generally U-shaped opening as seen in cross-section.

15. A socket part (SP) according to claim 14, wherein the front leg part (FLP) having a protrusion part (PP) for securing the socket part (SP) into a recess (R) of a panel (PA), and wherein said generally U-shaped opening has a bottom part (BP) and a neighboring throat part (TP), wherein said neighboring throat part (T) having a smaller opening between the front leg part (FLP) and the back leg part (BLP) than said bottom part (BP).

16. A socket part (SP) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said socket part (SP), when attached to said panel (PA), is located above said panel (PA).

17. A socket part (SP) according to any of the claims 14-16, wherein the socket (SO) of the at least one socket part (SP) is arranged in the section of the front leg part (FLP) which delimits the throat part (TP) of the U-shaped opening.

18. A socket part (SP) according to any of the claims 14-17, wherein said socket (SO) is formed as a female socket (SO) according to a UK standard, US standard, EU standard or any other electrical standards.

19. A socket part (SP) according to any of the claims 14-18, wherein said socket (SO) is adapted for telecommunication, data communication or any other type of communication transmitted by means of cables.

20. Electrical supply distribution system comprising

at least one socket part (SP) for attachment to said at least one panel (PA) and having a socket (SO) for connecting to an external plug and a connecting part (CP) with connectors (CO) for establishing connection between said plurality of electrical conductors (EC) and said socket when attached to the panel,

characterized in that

the connectors (CO) of each socket part are resiliently deformable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the panel (PA) and perpendicular to a direction in which the socket part is displaced with respect to the panel (PA) when being attached to said panel (PA), and

the panel (PA) comprises means for providing a deformation of said connectors (CO) when the socket part is attached to the panel, so that the connectors (CO) are resiliently biased into connection with the corresponding electrical conductors of the panel (PA).

21. Electrical supply distribution system according to claim 20, wherein the distance between the electrical conductors (EC) in the panel (PA) is at least 3 millimeters.

22. Electrical supply distribution system according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the connection between the electrical conductor (EC) carrying the earth potential in the panel (PA) and the electrical conductor (CO) carrying the earth potential in the socket part (SP) is the first connection to be established when attaching the socket part (SP) to the panel (PS) and the last connection to be reestablish when releasing the socket part (SP) from the panel (PA).

23. A socket part (SP) for releasable connection with the panel (PA) of said electrical supply distribution system according to any of the claims 20-22.

24. A panel (PA) for establishment of a connection between the plurality of electrical conductors (EC) of said panel (PA) and a connecting part (CP) arranged on the back leg part (BLP) of said socket part (SP) according to any of the claims 20-23.

25. An electrical system according to any of the claims 1-6 and 20-22 comprising: a panel (PA) according to any of the claims 7-13, and a socket part (SP) according to any of the claims 14-19.