EP0097749A1 - Security device with a locking mechanism for electrical sockets - Google Patents

Abstract

This standardised socket meets, from all points of view, the desired security requirements. It is constituted by a base 1, of a conventional internal system supplying the live, neutral and earth, with the special feature that when the plug is disconnected, a mask 3, under the effect of a torsion spring, pivots at a certain angle and is locked by studs 3a in housings provided for this effect in the mask, thus blocking off the 2 or more input holes for the current. Application in electrical equipment for domestic, industrial or related use.

Description

The present invention relates to a locking safety device for an electrical outlet.

More specifically, it is a socket fitted with a device ensuring safety against electrocution.

Conventional devices are known using simple nipples. In general, these are constituted by a base provided with a system where there is a phase and a neutral in which slides a stud.

We realized, however, that this security was not sufficient. Thus by some uses, the springs of the nipples get tired and are placed more or less well in their sheath, which causes well known problems in all families where the children reach an age where it is necessary to touch everything ...

The present invention intends to remedy these drawbacks by proposing an improvement to these known sockets, by which security is clearly improved.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a safety device by locking for a socket, constituted by a body of square, round or other shape, equipped with several sleeves intended for supplying the current, the pins of the sockets come and get the current in these so-called sheaths.

According to one of the main characteristics of the invention, it is that the sleeves are isolated from the outside by a mask which is locked when the plug is removed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aforesaid protective mask is in the form of a cover pierced with a plurality of holes, a number of which allows locking.

Finally, advantageously, a special spring allows the mask to return to its initial position and there is locked by pins independent of the base.

The invention will be better understood during the description given below by way of purely indicative and nonlimiting example, which will make it possible to identify the advantages and the secondary characteristics thereof.

• - la Figure 1 illustrée par une vue en plan schématise le système de sécurité ;
• la Figure 2 est une vue en coupe suivant AA ;
• - la Figure 3 est une vue du système de verrouillage adaptable sur le socle.

Reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

• - Figure 1 illustrated by a plan view shows schematically the security system;
• Figure 2 is a sectional view along AA;
• - Figure 3 is a view of the locking system adaptable to the base.

Referring first to FIG. 2, there is seen in section a base according to conventional standards 1 into which the current arrives via the terminals 2.

A movable mask 3 which covers the terminals. In its center it can be retained by a screw 7, circlip or other system. In the mask, housings are provided so that it can be locked by pins 3 mounted on lifting beam with a special spring 10 or other, these may be independent or mounted on a lifting beam 3a or other, but always acting blocking. It should be noted that the mask 3 rotates once the plug is removed, thanks to a special spring 4 bringing it back to its initial position and there, the nipples penetrate in their housing and lock the mask which allows it to provide effective security. In the mask, a light 8 is effective for grounding, so that it can perform its rotation and its abutment.

Figure 1 illustrates how the rotation is performed (see arrow) once the plug is pressed, it pushes the studs, all that remains is to turn in the direction of the arrow and to insert the plugs into the terminals of the run. Fixing points 11 to allow hanging in the wall or in its case are provided.

It can be seen that with the device according to the invention, effective security can be obtained and any incident of electrocution can be avoided.

The invention finds an interesting application in electrical installations for domestic, industrial or related use (Communities, Schools, Hospitals ...).

It is not limited to the description which has just been given, but on the contrary covers all the variants which could be made to it without departing from its scope or its spirit, in particular as regards its adaptation to the socket. German standard.

Claims (4)

1) Locking safety device for socket outlet consisting of a standardized base, therefore adaptable to all countries. The base is equipped with a protective mask which prevents any electric shock. 2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the rotary lack automatically locks by a plurality of pins independent or not of the base when removing the plug. 3) Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the plug must push the locking pins which releases the protective mask, it is therefore enough to make it rotate, it comes into abutment, a simple pressure and the plug is connected to the socket, therefore the current flows as in a conventional socket. 4) Device according to claim 4 characterized in that the system is adaptable to the German standard socket, comprising the earth socket on its periphery, under these conditions there is a variant in the shape of the disc and the mask, but the principle remains the same.

Images