GB2326775A - Dual voltage electrical adaptor - Google Patents

Description

DUAL VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SOCKET DEVICES The present application is a divisional of GB 9426040.3.

The present invention relates to dual voltage electrical devices.

U.K. Patent No. 2234866B describes a socket device which can be alternatively controlled to receive a 125V electric plug or a 250V electric plug and, which automatically breaks the circuit when the electric plug is disconnected.

Various electric sockets have been disclosed, and have appeared on the market. However, these electric sockets are commonly designed for a power source of a specific specification. For example, a 125V electric socket can only be used for a power source of 125V; a 250V electric socket can only be used for a power source of 250V. Therefore, different electric sockets must be prepared for a power source of different voltages.

According to the present invention, there is provided a dual voltage electrical adapter comprising a socket body carrying contact plates biased outwardly thereof, and at least one plug plate carrying an arrangement of contact prongs, wherein said plug plate is arranged to be removably mounted onto said socket body such that each prong contacts a respective contact plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an exploded view of a 125V/250V safety electric socket device; Figure 2 is an assembly view of the socket device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a circuit layout of the socket body of the socket device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows the slide and the first and second plug panels of Figure 1 connected together; Figure 4A is a partial view in section of Figure 4, showing the connection between the slide and the second plug panel of Figure 4; Figure 4B shows the second plug panel moved downwards by the slide and the first plug panel disconnected from the slide; Figure 5 is a back side view of Figure 4; Figure 5A is a partial view in section of Figure 5; Figure 6 is a sectional view in an enlarged scale of the socket device of Figure 1; Figure 7 shows the slide aimed at the rectangular centre opening of the cover panel; Figure 7A shows the first plug panel aimed at the rectangular centre opening of the cover panel; Figure 7B shows the second plug panel aimed at the rectangular centre opening of the cover panel; Figure 8 is a plan view of Figure 7 when the cover panel removed; Figure 8A is a plan view of Figure 7A when the cover panel removed; Figure 8B is a plan view of Figure 7B when the cover panel removed; Figure 9 shows an electric plug connected to the socket body and the circuit breaker system electrically connected; Figure 9A is similar to Figure 9 but showing the electric plug spaced from the sliding contact pin; Figure 10 is an exploded view of an adapter comprised of a socket body and a plug plate according to the present invention; Figure lOA is a side view of the adapter of Figure 10, showing the plug plate fastened to the socket body; Figure lOB is a sectional view of the adapter of Figure lOA; Figure lOC shows an alternate form of the adapter of Figure lOB; Figures 11 and llA show different adapters having different plug plates according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to Figures 1 through to 8, a 125V/250V electric socket device is generally comprised of a socket body 11 fastened to a socket mount 1 mounted within a junction box 15, a cover panel 3 covered on the socket body 11, a slide 2 moved between the socket body 11 and the cover panel 3, a first plug panel 25 and a second plug panel 27 connected to the slide 2 at right angles and moved by the slide 2 between the socket body 11 and the cover panel 3. The socket body 11 has two sets of contact metal plates 13 and 14 connected to 125V/250V power source and ground terminals. The slide 2 is marked with 125V and 250V directional arrows, having a finger rod 24 for moving by hand. The cover panel 3 comprises a rectangular centre opening 31, a two guide slots 311 respectively extended from the rectangular centre opening 31 at right angles, and a non-fuse circuit switch slot 316, which receives a non-fuse circuit switch contact metal rod 16 on the socket body 11. The cover panel 3 further comprises back hooks 317 (not shown) fastened to the socket mount 1. When the slide 2 is marked with an OFF mark, when the OFF mark is shown through the rectangular opening 31 of the cover panel 3, the socket body 11 is electrically disconnected. The first plug panel 25 and the second plug panel 27 are respectively connected to the slide 2 at right angles by respective hooked portions 21, 26 and 28. The slide 2 and the first and second plug panels 25 and 27 have respective back pins 211, 251 and 271 moved in grooves 12 on the socket mount 1 (see Figure 5). When the slide 2 is moved in the direction of the 250V directional arrow to the contact metal plates 13 (including the AA of L pole and CC of N pole of 250V power source and the non-fuse switch contact metal plates BB), respective contacts 22 of the slide 2 are respectively electrically connected to the contact metal plates 13, permitting 250V power source electrically connected to the socket body 11, and at the same time the first plug panel 25 is moved into the operative position for receiving a 250V electric plug. When the first plug panel 25 is moved into the operative position, it prohibits the connection of a 125V electric plug. When to use 125V power source, the slide 2 is moved to the OFF position to simultaneously carry the first plug panel 25 to the stand-by position, and then the slide 2 is moved in the direction of the 125V directional arrow to carry the second plug panel 27 to the operative position aimed at the rectangular centre opening 31 of the cover panel 3 (see Figures 7B and 8B) for receiving a 125V electric plug, permitting 125V power source to be electrically connected to the socket body 11. When the slide 2 is moved back to its former position, the contacts 22 are disconnected from power source, and the socket body 11 is electrically disconnected. The socket mount 1 has angle rails 131 and 141 defining a crossed passage for guiding the movement of the slide 2 and the first and second plug panels 25 and 27 smoothly (see Figure 6).

Figures 10 through 10C show the present invention wherein the socketsbody 11 is coupled with a plug plate 120 to form an electric adapter. The base 10 of the socket body 11 comprises L-shaped guide rails 105 and guide grooves 106, a triangular retainer block 107 supported on a spring 1071, three slots 1113, three contact metal frames 111 respectively extended out of the slots 1113, tilted metal spring plates 1114 respectively rivetted to the N pole and L pole and earth contact metal frames 111. The plug plate 120 comprises three prongs 123 at one side, two rails 121 at an opposite side, and a retaining hole 1207 through both sides. The rails 121 of the plug plate 120 are respectively inserted into the guide grooves 106 and engaged with the guide rails 105, and shifted vertically between two positions (see Figures 10A and 10B). When the plug plate 120 is moved from the position shown in Figure 10A to the position shown in Figure 10B, the roots 1231 of the prongs 123 are respectively connected to the metal spring plates 1114, and triangular retainer block 107 is forced into the retaining hole 1207 of the plug plate 120. By pressing down the triangular retainer block 107 to disconnect the retaining hole 12 from the triangular retainer block 107, the plug plate 120 can be removed from the socket body 11 for a replacement. Figures 11 and llA show a variety of plug plates that can be alternatively coupled to the socket body 11 for use in different conditions.

Referring to Figures 9 and 9A, the N or L pole of the socket body 11 is comprised of two vertically spaced contact metal frames 111 and 112 and matched with a set of contact spring plates 1111 and 1121 to form a circuit switch system. The circuit switch system can be operated by a microswitch for ON/OFF controls. The socket body 11 has sliding contact pin 113 supported on a spring 1131. When a plug 115 is connected to the socket body 11, the sliding contact pin 113 is forced backward to electrically connect the contact spring plates 1111 and 1121. When the plug 115 is spaced from the socket body 11 at a distance over 0.5 cm, the sliding contact pin 113 is pulled away from the contact spring plates 1111 and 1121 by the spring 1131, causing the circuit broken.

As indicated, the present invention may be variously embodied. Recognising that various modifications and changes are apparent, the scope herein shall be deemed as defined in the claims set hereinafter.

Claims (6)

CLAIMS:

1. A dual voltage electrical adapter comprising a socket body carrying contact plates biased outwardly thereof, and at least one plug plate carrying an arrangement of contact prongs, wherein said plug plate is arranged to be removably mounted onto said socket body such that each prong contacts a respective contact plate.

2. A dual voltage electrical adapter as claimed in claim 1 wherein a base of the socket body comprises Lshaped guide rails and guide grooves engagable by rails of the plug plate.

3. A dual voltage electrical adapter as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the socket body comprises a triangular retainer block supported on a spring and the plug plate comprises a retaining hole, wherein when the plug plate is fully engaged with the socket body the triangular retainer block is engaged with the retaining hole.

4. A dual voltage electrical adapter as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the socket body further comprises a circuit switch system wherein in use when a plug is engaged with the adapter the circuit switch system is operated to electrically connect the contact plates.

5. A dual voltage electrical adapter as claimed in claim 4 wherein the circuit switch system comprises sliding contact pin supported on a spring, the contact pin being forced backwards by the plug to operate a microswitch to electrically connect the contact plates.

6. A dual voltage electrical adapter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 9 to llA.