DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to an electric plug assembly having walls with cut-out portions.

BACKGROUND

An electric plug is a device that establishes electrical contact between electric equipment and a source, such as a socket. The electric plug assembly includes a housing and an electric pin that is partially housed in the housing and is coupled to the wires of the electric equipment. Moreover, the pin acts as a connector to complete the electric circuit. The electric pin can either be a live pin or a neutral pin in case of alternating current or can be a positive terminal and negative terminal in case of direct current. The electric pin can also be a ground or earth pin. Generally, the coupling part has through holes to attach a fastener to secure the wire to the plug pin.

There are various limitations associated with the current design of the electric plug assembly. For example, the through holes are not easily accessible for fastening the fastener owing to the small size of the electric plug. One way to mitigate this issue is to make tall plug pin to provide better access to the coupling part. However, increasing the size of the plug pin increases an overall size of the electric plug thereby making the electric plug bulky. Another way to address the limitation is to double up the fastener that secures the plug pin to the housing as means to connect the electric wire. However, such fastener tends to untighten that thereby not only loosening the plug pin but also disconnecting the electric wire. In some cases, such a disconnection may cause short circuit in the electric plug.

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.

The present disclosure relates to an electric plug assembly having plug walls with a cut-out portion. The cut-out portions secure the plug pin to the housing provides unobstructed access to the plug pin to couple a wire holder thereto.

In an embodiment, an electric plug assembly is disclosed. The electric plug assembly includes a base plate adapted to receive wires and a cover plate coupled to the base plate to define a housing. The cover plate includes an inner surface and a first plug opening on the inner surface. The electric plug assembly includes a plug pin adapted to be inserted in the first plug opening. The first plug pin a root part disposed in the housing and comprising a first through-hole adapted to receive a wire holder to secure the electric wire and a main part formed above the root part and adapted to extend out of the housing to be inserted in a socket. The electric plug assembly includes a plurality of walls extending around the first plug opening and encapsulating at least a portion of the root part, such that each of the plurality of walls includes a first cut-out portion to provide access to the first through-hole.

According to the present disclosure, the cut-out portion enables unobstructed access to attach the wire holder to the cover plate thereby making the process of securing the electric wire simpler. Moreover, unobstructed access does away a need to increase the size of the plug pin which prevents the overall cost of manufacturing the electric plug assembly.

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 different views of an electric plug assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the electric plug assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a cover plate showing a plurality of plug openings and walls around each plug openings, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates a back view of the cover plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the cover plate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. 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 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 invention belongs. The system and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict, or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants 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. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, 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 including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more elements 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 a person ordinarily skilled 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 of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, 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 other 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 in the context of more than one embodiment, or 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 necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

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

For the sake of clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral of each component of the present disclosure is indicative of the Figure number, in which the corresponding component is shown. For example, reference numerals starting with digit “1” are shown at least in Figure 1. Similarly, reference numerals starting with digit “2” are shown at least in Figure 2.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an electric plug assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 1 illustrates a front view (A), a side view (B), a front perspective view (C), a back perspective view (D), and a front perspective view (D) of the electric plug assembly 100. Further, Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the electric plug assembly 100. The electric plug assembly 100 may be used to supply electric current to electrical equipment, such as a table fan or a refrigerator. The electric plug assembly 100 can be designed to have different rated capacities, such as a 6A rating for small electrical equipment, such as a table fan or a 16A rating for heavy electrical equipment, such as a refrigerator. The electric plug assembly 100 may receive electric wires from the electrical equipment and may be adapted to insert into an electric socket to establish electric contact with the electric socket. The electric plug assembly 100 may include, but is not limited to, a base plate 102, a cover plate 104, a plurality of plug pins 106, and a sleeve 108, details of which will be explained later.

Referring now to Figure 2, the base plate 102 may form a major part of the electric plug assembly 100 by size. The base plate 102 may include a pair of the housing walls 110 that extends from a base of the base plate 102. The housing walls 110 may couple to the cover plate and cover the components mounted to either the cover plate 104 or the base plate 102. In addition, the housing walls 110 may include depressions 112 that are sized and profiled to enable an operator to grab and hold the electric plug assembly 100 to engage and disengage the electric socket.

In one example, the cover plate 104 may be of similar size as the base plate 102. The cover plate 104 may include an outer surface 114 and an inner surface 116 opposite to the front face, such that the outer surface 114 may abut the electric socket. On the other hand, the inner surface 116 may include a cavity profile 118 that are adapted to receive the housing walls 110 to form a housing. The housing may be understood as a volume inside the electric plug assembly 100 in which the components may be housed. In one example, the sleeve 108 is configured to provide access to the electrical wires into the housing. In addition, the sleeve 108 provides a path to guide the electric wire to the housing.

In one example, the electric plug assembly 100 may include a plate 120 that may be mounted to the inner surface 116 and proximate to the opening. The plate 120 may be configured to secure a portion of the electric wires within the housing. The plate 120 can be made of fibre material and can be secured to a pair of fastening points 122 on the inner surface 116. In one example, the cover plate 104 may include a wall 138 at one end of the cover plate 104. The wall 138 may have a hemispherical opening 140 while the base plate has a hemispherical cut-out that together form an opening in which the sleeve 108 may be inserted.

Referring back to Figure 2, the plug pin 106 is a single piece manufactured component and may include a root part 126 and a main part 128. The root part 126 may be disposed in the housing while the main part 128 may extend through the housing and out from the plug openings 130 of the cover plate 104 and is adapted to be inserted in a socket. In one example, the plug pins 106 may be categorized as a first pin 106A and a pair of second plug pins 106B, 106C. Further, one of the plug pins 106A is a ground pin while a second plug pin 106B from the pair is a live pin. Further, another second plug pin 106C of the plug pin is a neutral pin. Further, the main root part 126 may have a cuboid-shaped body with a square-shaped cross-section. Further, the plug opening 130 may also be shaped as per the cross-section of the root part 126. On the other hand, the main part 128 may have a cylindrical body with a circular cross-section.

The root part 126 may also include a first through-hole 142 passing through a width of the root part 126 and is adapted to receive a wire holder 144 that secures the electric wire to the root part 126. The root part 126 may also include a second through-hole 146 extending orthogonal to the first through-hole 144 and is adapted to receive an electrical wire. In one example, the wire holder 144 may press the electric wire against an interior surface of the root part 126.

In one example, the base plate 102 and the cover plate 104 may be secured to each other using fasteners 124. Further, the cover plate 104 may include additional fastening points 122 to receive the fasteners 124. Although not visible, the base plate 102 may also include fastening points concentric to the fastening points 122 on the cover plate 104 and is adapted to receive a portion of the fasteners 124. Although the present illustration shows four fasteners 124, a greater or lesser number of fasteners 124 may also be used.

Details of plug openings 130 of the cover plate 104 are now explained with respect to Figure 2 in conjunction with Figures 3, 4, and 5. Specifically, Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a cover plate showing a plurality of plug openings 130 while Figure 4 illustrates a back view of the cover plate 104. Further, Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the cover plate 104.

In one example, one of the plug openings 130 is a first plug opening 130A which may be proximate to a top end of the cover plate 104. The first plug opening 130A may include a plurality of walls 134 surrounding the first plug opening 130A. the walls 134 may extend orthogonally from the inner surface 114 and into the housing. The walls 134 may include a cut-out section 136 that may be formed on a side of the wall 134. The walls 134 may also form a casing for the root part 126 to secure therein. The cut-out section 136 may be served two tasks. First, the cut-out section 136 may allow access to the root part of the first plug pin 106A and second, the cut-out section 136 provides access to the electric wire to attach to the root part of the first plug pin 106A. The cut-out section 136 may be rectangular in shape and maybe open at the top of the wall 134. Further, the cut-out section 136 may be sized as per the wire holder 124.

Similarly, the cover plate 104 may include a pair of second openings 130B, 130C that are proximate the bottom end of the cover plate 104 and to the wall 138. The second openings 130B, 130C, in one example, may be of the same size and may house the live plug pin 106B and the neutral plug pin 106C respectfully. The second plug openings 130B, 130C may include walls 134 that may also have a cut-out section 136 that may provide access to the first through-hole 142 of the second plug pins 106B, 106C.

In one example, the orientation of the cut-out portion with respect to the cut-out portion 136 provides unobstructed access to attach the wire holder to the through-hole of the first plug pin and the pair of the second plug pins 106B, 106C. For instance, access for a tool, such as a screwdriver to the cut-out section 136 may be unobstructed. In other words, none of the components inside the housing is obstructing access to the cut-out sections 136. Referring now to Figure 4, indicating the access to the cut-out section 136 around the plug openings 130A, 130B, and 130C. For example, access to the cut-out section 136 around the first plug opening 130A is along the first path of access D1. As seen clearly, none of the components on the cover plate 104 falls in the first path of the access D1. On the other hand, the access to the cut-out sections 136 around each second plug opening 130B, 130C is shown by the second access of path D2 and D3 respectively. Hereto, none of the components is present in paths D2 and D3.

According to the present disclosure, the unobstructed access enables easy connection/ disconnection of the electric wire thereby reducing the time needed to couple the electric plug assembly to the electrical equipment.

While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, 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 electric plug assembly (100) comprising:
a base plate (102) adapted to receive an electric wire;
a cover plate (104) coupled to the base plate (102) to define a housing and comprising:
an inner surface and a first plug opening in the inner surface;
a first plug pin (106A) adapted to be inserted in the first plug opening of the cover plate (104) and comprising:
a root part (126) disposed in the housing and comprising a first through hole adapted to receive a wire holder (144) to secure the electric wire; and
a main part (128) formed above the root part (126) and adapted to extend out of the housing to be inserted in a socket; and
a plurality of walls (134) extending around the first plug opening and encapsulating at least a portion of the root part (126), wherein each of the plurality of walls includes a first cut-out portion (136) to provide access to the first through hole.

2. The electric plug as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover plate (104) comprises:
a pair of second plug openings (130B, 130C) proximate to a bottom end of the cover plate (104), wherein each second plug opening (130B, 130C) having a plurality of walls (136) extending around the second plug opening (130B) and each of the plurality of walls has a second cut-out portion. (136)

3. The electric plug as claimed in claim 2, comprising a pair of second plug pins (106B, 106B) adapted to be inserted in the pair of second plug openings (130B, 130C), each second plug pin comprising:
a main part (128); and
a root part (126) disposed in the housing and comprising a first through-hole adapted to receive a wire holder (144) to secure another electric wire, wherein the first through-hole of the second plug pin is accessible through the second cut-out portion.

4. The electric plug as claimed in claim 3, wherein the orientation of the cut-out portion around the first plug opening (130A) with respect to the cut-out portion around each of the second plug opening (130B, 130C) provides unobstructed access to the attach the wire holder to the through hole of the first plug pin (106A) and the pair of the second plug pins.

5. The electric plug assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first plug pin (106A) and the pair of second plug pins (106B, 106C) includes a second through-hole (146) adapted to receive the electric wire.

6. The electric plug assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first plug pin and the pair of second plug pin is one of a live pin (106B), a neutral pin (106C), and a ground pin (106A).

7. The electric plug assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, including a pair of fasteners (124) to secure the base plate (102) to the cover plate (104).

8. The electric plug assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug opening is shaped as per the cross-section of the root part (126).

9. The electric plug assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, comprising a sleeve (108) adapted to inserted at the opening and adapted to provide a path to guide the electric wire to the housing.

10. The electric plug assembly (100) as claimed in claim 9, comprising a plate (120) mounted on the inner surface of the cover plate (104) and proximate to the opening, wherein the plate is adapted to secure a portion of the electric wires within the housing.