Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to electrical socket assemblies, and more particularly to an electrical socket assembly which automatically operates based on an electrical connection with a plug.

BACKGROUND

Generally, electrical sockets play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of electrical connections. The electrical sockets are employed for operating a wide range of appliances by controlling the flow of current to such appliances. In particular, the electrical sockets are connected to a plug assembly to flow the current in the appliances. Electrical sockets are employed in electrical circuits to divert or interrupt the flow of current toward the appliances, thereby switching ON or switching OFF such appliances.

The electrical sockets and the plug assembly ensure proper management and protect the appliance from any disruption. In existing electrical sockets, the flow of current is constantly provided into the electrical sockets even after the appliances are not connected. For instance, when a plug of an appliance is disconnected from the electronic socket, even then the electrical socket tends to supply electrical current. This may result in potential hazards to a user and the appliance. Further, the electrical sockets are also lacking in safety features like a fuse and a power indication of the flow of current within the electrical socket leading to the risk of shock to the user.

Currently, in order to disrupt a supply of the electrical current, the user may physically need to switch-off a switch of the electrical socket. Every electrical socket is generally provided with a switch located near the electrical socket on an electrical board. The switch requires additional space on the electrical board and also, and additional wiring is required to connect the switch to the electrical socket which increases the overall complexity of the electrical board. Traditional electrical boards have standard designs without the fuse, or the electrical board may have a single fuse for multiple electrical sockets located on the electrical board.

Therefore, it is desirable to develop an electrical socket assembly for electrical connection that alleviates the abovementioned drawbacks of the existing electrical socket assembly.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electrical socket assembly that includes a housing, a face plate, a plurality of electrical pins, an actuating element, a tripping mechanism, and a plurality of splice connectors. The housing is defined by a plurality of walls and the face plate is adapted to be removably coupled to the housing. The plurality of electrical pins disposed within the housing and adapted to receive an electrical connecting element of an electrical plug. Further, the actuating element is disposed within the housing. Furthermore, the actuating element is adapted to be operated in one of a switch-ON condition to allow the flow of current to the plurality of electrical pins and a switch-OFF condition to restrict the flow of current to the plurality of electrical pins. Further, the tripping mechanism is electrically connected in a series configuration to the actuating element and one of the plurality of electrical pins. Furthermore, the tripping mechanism is adapted to electrically disconnect, at a threshold voltage, the plurality of electrical pins from a power supply. The plurality of splice connectors is electrically coupled to the plurality of electrical pins and the actuating element. The plurality of indicating elements disposed in the housing and at least partially protruding through the face plate. Further, the plurality of indicating elements is adapted to indicate the operational status of the power supply and the operational status of the tripping mechanism.

In an embodiment, the actuating element is a micro switch having a switching pin, a pair of connecting pins, and a latch. Herein one end of the latch partially protrudes through the face plate and the other end of the latch is connected to the switching pin such that the latch is pushed to move the switching pin to operate the actuating element. Further, the pair of connecting pins connected to the second connecting strip such that the pair of connecting pins maintains the electrical connection with one of the plurality of splice connectors.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an electrical socket assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the electrical socket assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the electrical socket assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figures 4a–4b illustrate different perspective views depicting an actuating element, according to different embodiments of the present disclosure;

Figure 5a illustrates a perspective view depicting the actuating element with a tripping mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5b illustrates a perspective view depicting the tripping mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 6a illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of splice connectors connected to the actuating element, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 6b illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of connecting strips connected to the plurality of splice connectors, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 7 illustrates a top view of the plurality of splice connectors connected to the actuating element and the plurality of electrical pins, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”

The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.

More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an ordinary skill in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an electrical socket assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the electrical socket assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the electrical socket assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the electrical socket assembly 100 may be employed in houses, corporate buildings, and similar premises for operating various electronic devices and electrical appliances such as household appliances, laptops, computers, etc. Further, the electrical socket assembly 100 may be adapted to switch ON and/or switch OFF an operation of the electrical appliances. The electrical socket assembly 100 may be adapted to be mounted on an installation surface, for example, a wall or on an electrical extension cord, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Constructional and operational details of the electrical socket assembly 100 are explained in detail in the subsequent sections of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical socket assembly 100 may include a housing 102, a face plate 114, a plurality of indicating elements 118, a plurality of electrical pins 120, an actuating element 108, a tripping mechanism 111 (as shown in Figure 5b), and a plurality of splice connectors 130. The housing 102 may be defined by a plurality of walls 106. The face plate 114 may adapted to be removably coupled to the housing 102, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The plurality of electrical pins 120 may be disposed within the housing 102. Further, the plurality of electrical pins 120 may be adapted to receive an electrical connecting element of an electrical plug (not shown). The actuating element 108 may be disposed within the housing 102. Further, the actuating element 108 may adapted to be operated in one of a switch-ON condition to allow a flow of current to the plurality of electrical pins 120 and a switch-OFF condition to restrict the flow of current to the plurality of electrical pins 120.

The tripping mechanism 111 may be electrically connected in a series configuration to the actuating element 108 and one of the plurality of electrical pins 120. Further, the tripping mechanism 111 may adapted to electrically disconnect, at a threshold voltage, the plurality of electrical pins 120 from a power supply. The plurality of splice connectors 130 may be electrically coupled to the plurality of electrical pins 120 and the actuating element 108. The plurality of indicating elements 118 may disposed in the housing 102 and at least partially protruding through the face plate 114. Further, the plurality of indicating elements 118 may be adapted to indicate the operational status of the power supply and the operational status of the tripping mechanism 111.

In an embodiment, the housing 102 and the face plate 114 may have a cuboidal shape and square shape, respectively, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In another embodiment, the housing 102 and the face plate 114 may have any other geometrical shape, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The housing 102 and the face plate 114 may be coupled together to define a space adapted to accommodate various components, such as the plurality of indicating elements 118, the plurality of electrical pins 120, the actuating element 108, and the tripping mechanism 111 of the electrical socket assembly 100.

In an embodiment, the plurality of electrical pins 120 may include a first electrical pin 120a, a second electrical pin 120b, and a third electrical pin 120c. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 102 may include a plurality of engaging portion 122 adapted to support the first electrical pin 120a, the second electrical pin 120b, and the third electrical pin 120c within the housing 102, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figure 3, the plurality of indicating elements 118 includes a first indicating element 118a adapted to indicate the operational status of the plurality of electrical pins 120 and a second indicating element 118b adapted to indicate the operational status of a fuse 110 of the tripping mechanism 111. In an embodiment, the housing 102 accommodates the pair of resistors 119a, 119b. The pair of resistors 119a, 119b are connected to the first indicating element 118a and the second indicating element 118b through the plurality of electrical pins 120.

In an embodiment, the plurality of indicating elements 118 may be embodied as a neon bulb, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In another embodiment, the plurality of indicating elements 118 may be embodied as any other lighting element, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the face plate 114 may include a circular opening 128 positioned below the second indicating element 118b. Further, the fuse 110 may be adapted to be removed through the circular opening 128 from the housing 102 and, may be adapted to be inserted through the circular opening 128 within the housing 102.

Figures 4a–4b illustrate different perspective views depicting the actuating element 108, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the actuating element 108 may be a micro switch having a switching pin 126, a pair of connecting pins 127, and a latch 140, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The one end of the latch 140 may be partially protruded through the face plate 114 (as shown in the Figure 1) and the other end of the latch 140 may be connected to the switching pin 126 (as shown in the Figure 4b) such that the latch 140 is pushed to move the switching pin 126 to operate the actuating element 108.

Figure 5a illustrates a perspective view depicting the actuating element 108 with the tripping mechanism 111, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5b illustrates a perspective view depicting the tripping mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figures 5a and 5b, the tripping mechanism 111 may include the fuse 110, a connecting bracket 134, a conducting element 138, and a spring 112. The spring 112 may be coupled between one end of the fuse 110 and the conducting element 138. The one end of the fuse 110 may be connected to the connecting bracket 134 (as shown in the Figure 2) and another end of the fuse 110 may be connected to the conducting element 138 (as shown in the Figure 5b).

In an embodiment, the spring 112, in a compressed state, may be co-linearly attached to one end of the fuse 110 such that the fuse 110 maintains the electrical connection with the actuating element 108 and another end of the fuse 110 maintains the electrical connection with one of the plurality of electrical pins 120. In such an embodiment, the spring 112 may be adapted to de-compress to allow the removal of the fuse 110 from the housing 102.

In an embodiment, the fuse 110 may be pressed by the conducting element 138 to compress the spring 112 and the fuse 110 maintains the electrical connection with the actuating element 108 through the conducting element 138.

Figure 6a illustrates a perspective view of the plurality of splice connectors 130 connected to the actuating element 108, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6b illustrates a perspective view of a plurality of connecting strips 136 may connected to the plurality of splice connectors 130, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figures 6a and 6b, the plurality of splice connectors 130 may be attached to one of the walls 106 of the housing 102. The plurality of splice connectors 130 may adapted to electrically connect the plurality of electrical pins 120 and the actuating element 108 to the power source, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the first electrical pin 120a and the second electrical pin 120b may electrically connect to the plurality of splice connectors 130. The third electrical pin 120c may electrically connect to the actuating element 108.

In an embodiment, the pair of connecting pins 127 may include a first connecting pin 127a and a second connecting pin 127b. The plurality of connecting strips 136 may include a first connecting strip 136a, a second connecting strip 136b, and a third connecting strip 136c. Further, the first connecting pin 127a may be connected to the second connecting strip 136b such that the pair of connecting pins 127 maintains the electrical connection with one of the plurality of splice connectors 130. Furthermore, the second connecting pin 127b may be connected to the conducting element 138.

In an embodiment, the latch 140 may aligned with the switching pin 126 and adapted to push to actuate the switching pin 126. In such embodiment, the latch 140 may adapted to be pushed by the electrical plug such that the switching pin 126 is moved to operate the actuating element 108 to the switch-ON condition when the electrical plug is electrically coupled to the electrical socket assembly 100. Further, the switching pin 126 may be adapted to retract to operate the actuating element 108 to the switch-off condition when the electrical plug is removed from the electrical socket assembly 100, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Figure 7 illustrates a top view of the plurality of splice connectors 130 connected to the actuating element 108 and the plurality of electrical pins 120, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 7, the first connecting strip 136a and the third connecting strip 136c may be adapted to be electrically connected to the plurality of electrical pins 120 and the second connecting strip 136b may adapted to be electrically connected to the actuating element 108.

In an embodiment, the first connecting strip 136a may include a first portion and the second portion orthogonally inclined to the first portion of the first connecting strip 136a. The third connecting strip 136c may include a first portion and a second portion orthogonally inclined to the first portion of the third connecting strip 136c. The second connecting strip 136b may include a first element, a second element, and a third element. The second element may be orthogonally inclined to the first element and the third element orthogonally inclined to the second element.

The present disclosure provides the electrical socket assembly 100 that ensures power ON to activate when the plug assembly is inserted into the electrical socket assembly 100 and the power OFF when the plug assembly is removed from the electrical socket assembly 100. This may avoid the potential hazards to the user and the appliance The plurality of indicating elements 118 may include the first indicating element 118a to indicate the operational status of the plurality of electrical pins 120 and the second indicating element 118b to indicate the operational status of the fuse 110 of the tripping mechanism 111. Further, the plurality of indicating elements 118 provides a clear, visible signal of electricity availability, allowing users to easily assess the operational status of the electrical socket assembly 100. This prevents accidental contact with live circuits and offers a convenient way to check power availability and the operational status. The second indicating element 118b to monitor the fuse status. The second indicating element 118b emits a glow when the fuse 110 is intact, and goes dark if the fuse 110 blows, allowing users to instantly identify if a replacement is needed without manual inspection.

Further, the tripping mechanism 111 may include the fuse 110 to protect appliances, against electrical surges, connected to the electrical socket assembly 100. Further, the plurality of connecting strips 136 may be electrically connected to both the electrical socket assembly 100 and the connected appliances.

Furthermore, the electrical socket assembly 100 ensures simplified installation. The plurality of splice connectors 130 eliminates the need for traditional screw terminals, allowing for tool-free, quick, and secure connections. The plurality of splice connectors 130 reduces installation time and the risk of loose connections, while providing a stable and reliable electrical connection. Overall, the electrical socket assembly 100 enhances safety and maintains the compact size with an aesthetic look. The electrical socket assembly 100 provides a user-friendly experience without requiring extra space for the switch or complex installation on the electrical board.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. , Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. An electrical socket assembly (100) comprising:
a housing (102) defined by a plurality of walls (106);
a face plate (114) adapted to be removably coupled to the housing (102);
a plurality of electrical pins (120) disposed within the housing (102) and adapted to receive an electrical connecting element of an electrical plug;
an actuating element (108) disposed within the housing (102), wherein the actuating element (108) is adapted to be operated in one of a switch-ON condition to allow a flow of current to the plurality of electrical pins (120) and a switch-OFF condition to restrict the flow of current to the plurality of electrical pins (120);
a tripping mechanism (111) electrically connected in a series configuration to the actuating element (108) and one of the plurality of electrical pins (120), wherein the tripping mechanism (111) is adapted to electrically disconnect, at a threshold voltage, the plurality of electrical pins (120) from a power supply;
a plurality of splice connectors (130) is electrically coupled to the plurality of electrical pins (120) and the actuating element (108); and
a plurality of indicating elements (118) disposed in the housing (102) and at least partially protruding through the face plate (114), wherein the plurality of indicating elements (118) is adapted to indicate an operational status of the power supply and an operational status of the tripping mechanism (111).

2. The electrical socket assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (102) comprises a plurality of engaging portions (122) adapted to support the plurality of electrical pins (120) within the housing (102).

3. The electrical socket assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of splice connectors (130) is attached to one of the walls (106) of the housing (102), wherein the plurality of splice connectors (130) is adapted to electrically connect the plurality of electrical pins (120) and the actuating element (108) to a power source.

4. The electrical socket assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of splice connectors (130) comprises a plurality of connecting strips (136) and the plurality of connecting strips (136) having a first connecting strip (136a), a second connecting strip (136b) and a third connecting strip (136c).

5. The electrical socket assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a first connecting strip (136a) and third connecting strip (136c) are adapted to be electrically connected to the plurality of electrical pins (120) and the second connecting strip (136b) is adapted to electrically connected to the actuating element (108).

6. The electrical socket assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tripping mechanism (111) comprises a fuse (110), a connecting bracket (134), a conducting element (138), and a spring (112), wherein the spring (112) is coupled between one end of the fuse (110) and the conducting element (138).

7. The electrical socket assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein one end of the fuse (110) is connected to the connecting bracket (134) and another end of the fuse (110) is connected to the conducting element (138).

8. The electrical socket assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the spring (112), in a compressed state, is co-linearly attached to one end of the fuse (110) such that the fuse (110) maintains the electrical connection with the actuating element (108) and another end of the fuse (110) maintains the electrical connection with one of the plurality of electrical pins (120).

9. The electrical socket assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the spring (112) is adapted to de-compress to allow the removal of the fuse (110) from the housing (102).

10. The electrical socket assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating element (108) is a micro switch having a switching pin (126), a pair of connecting pins (127), and a latch (140), wherein one end of the latch (140) partially protrudes through the face plate (114) and the other end of the latch (140) is connected to the switching pin (126) such that the latch (140) is pushed to move the switching pin (126) to operate the actuating element (108).

11. The electrical socket assembly (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pair of connecting pins (127) connected to the second connecting strip (136b) such that the pair of connecting pins (127) maintains the electrical connection with one of the plurality of splice connectors (130).

12. The electrical socket assembly (100) as claimed in claim 10,
wherein the latch (140) aligned with the switching pin (126) and adapted to push to actuate the switching pin (126); and
wherein the latch (140) is adapted to be pushed by the electrical plug such that the switching pin (126) is moved to operate the actuating element (108) to the switch-ON condition when the electrical plug is electrically coupled to the electrical socket assembly (100).

13. The electrical socket assembly (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the switching pin (126) is adapted to retract to operate the actuating element (108) to the switch-OFF condition when the electrical plug is removed from the electrical socket assembly (100).

14. The electrical socket assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the plurality of indicating elements (118) comprises a first indicating element (118a) is to indicate the operational status of the plurality of electrical pins (120) and a second indicating element (118b) is to indicate the operational status of the fuse (110) of the tripping mechanism (111); and
wherein each of the plurality of indicating elements (118) is embodied as a neon bulb.

15. The electrical socket assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the face plate (114) comprises a circular opening (128) positioned below the second indicating element (118b), wherein the fuse (110) is adapted to be removed through the circular opening (128) from the housing (102) and is adapted to be inserted through the circular opening (128) within the housing (102).